Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations How can I filter silt/sand from storm drain?

There are 2 storm drain pipes that enter my 3/4 acre retention pond. One is near the middle of the pond where the depth near the edge is deep (4-5'). The other pipe enters the ponds at the shallow end. The original depth at the shallow end was 1-2' but now it's only about 6-12". Silt, sand, etc. from the storm drain pipe have filled it in. Is there a way to filter the silt/sand from the storm drain?

You can see my pond here: http://binged.it/mbInta The pipe enters at the pointy end of the pond, all the way at the end.

Thanks in advance for any ideas you have to share!

Can you back up the exit of the drains any distance from your pond? If so, you could then construct some small settling ponds that would first catch the discharge out of the pipes, allow it to settle somewhat, and then enter your pond. Catmandoo has written how he did this very thing here on the forum. Do a search for constructed wetlands and see what you can find.

Here are a couple to get you started:

Wetlands Thread 1

Wetlands Thread 2

Good luck and keep us posted.

Todd, that's a good idea but in this case there's no way to back up the entrance of the pipe. It might be possible to expand that end of the pond though. I'll look at the links and post again.

Well that certainly creates new issues, Tim, but how about looking a little farther back and finding a place you can interrupt the storm drain elsewhere, create your settlement ponds in that location, and then allow the outflow of the settlement pond to be back into the storm drain so it can exit normally?

Otherwise, your idea of looking into doing something different around the outflow is probably the next best bet. Again, perhaps if your conditions permit, look at maybe creating a berm around an area by the current outflow and consider planting it with various plants to help slow water flow and absorb the nutrients and silt before it spills into the main body of the pond. Perhaps that's what you were suggesting.