Public Works:  Storm Water Run Off Problems

The relatively flat terrain of Clay County and the large areas of wetlands and areas with a high water-table combine to present unique challenges for managing stormwater runoff. In addition, the environmental regulations enacted in the past ten years have required stormwater runoff treatment prior to its outflow to our natural waterways.

The Streets and Drainage Division is responsible for the maintenance and repair of roadside drainage systems and primary drainage outfalls.
A water detention pond will temporarily detain the water and keep the runoff to the desired rate. When the rain ends, though, the water detention pond will be empty shortly afterwards.

A water retention pond, on the other hand, retains water all the time. The pond level may go up and down, but ordinarily the pond has some water in it.

So, if the pond is typically empty, except during and shortly after rain or other precipitation, it is a detention pond. If the pond always has water in it, then it is a retention pond.

The design of these ponds is to allow for control of stormwater surge to prevent erosion and to aide in the filtering out of contaminants prior to recharging the aquifer. Piping is installed to allow for overflow protection, not to aide in the quick removal of water form the ponds.

Frequently, where drainage systems exist, stormwater runoff problems can be corrected by maintenance and repair efforts. This is accomplished by cleaning out ditches and culverts, and repairing culverts and French drains on county easements.

Drainage ditches provide a means for controlling the path stormwater takes and to aide in the control of flooding. After the rain stops, water may be present in a ditch for up to 72 hours.

If you are experiencing a stormwater runoff problem, please submit a request using this link: Maintenance Request Form.

If you have additional concerns or questions, contact the Streets and Drainage Division at 269-6335 or email public.works@co.clay.fl.us.