Insights

Aquatic Vegetation Filters Stormwater Runoff

Aquatic vegetation is beginning to sprout in a redesigned and expanded stormwater retention pond at the Hillpointe Pointe Grand Davenport multi-family residential project in Polk County, Fla.

The design by KPM Franklin includes a shallow littoral zone where aquatic vegetation has been planted to absorb pollutants in stormwater runoff that will eventually flow from the pond into an adjacent wetland and eventually drain into Reedy Creek.

The aquatic vegetation also prevents shoreline erosion, reduces mosquitoes and provides food and shelter for fish, amphibians, aquatic birds and other animals.

The pond is owned by Polk County was originally constructed to receive stormwater runoff from Ronald Reagan Parkway, which is owned and maintained by the county, and U.S. 17/92, owned and maintained by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

Since the pond needed to be expanded to accept additional runoff from the master stormwater system for the Pointe Grand Davenport development, Hillpointe purchased the pond from Polk County and provided drainage easements to the county and FDOT. KPM Franklin designed the pond expansion to meet higher FDOT standards. During construction, an existing pond liner was replaced with a 30-mil PVC liner which was needed to keep water from seeping in from under the pond because of an elevated water table.

Pointe Grand Davenport will open later in 2024.

Update:

Aerial images from August 2024 show the aquatic vegetation has sprouted.    

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