This 2 year study evaluated current guidelines for construction sediment ponds.  Monitoring was undertaken over the full construction cycle from the stripping phase through to final construction and stabilization of the site.  Various pond design scenarios were simulated to help determine how the existing guideline from 1994 should be modified to provide improved performance.

The study results indicated that sediment was trapped mostly within the forebay and middle portion of the pond.  Sediment accumulation in the downstream third of the pond was negligible.  The pond’s sediment trapping efficiency was high, with 99% of incoming suspended solids trapped in the pond.  Scenario simulations revealed that all pond design parameters selected for analysis had some impact on pond performance, with the magnitude dependent on the degree of variations.

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