Omaha, Neb. – Stormwater management might not be the first thing on your mind when you look at a new development, but it plays a big role in keeping neighborhoods safe, roads clear, and local waterways clean. When heavy rain falls, where does all that water go? Without the right systems in place, water runoff could lead to damaged infrastructure, flooded streets, eroded landscapes, and pollution in lakes and rivers.

At Schemmer, we help communities plan for stormwater runoff—because it’s not just about managing water; it’s about protecting the places we live, work, and play. Two of the most common solutions are storm water retention and storm water detention, and while they sound similar, they serve different purposes.

“Stormwater isn’t something most people think about until it’s a problem—like flooding streets or water in their basement. Our goal as engineers is to manage that water before it becomes an issue. We design stormwater systems at every level, from individual lots to entire regions, creating solutions that protect homes and infrastructure while also improving water quality.”
– Matt Hubel, Civil Engineer

Storm Water Detention: Slowing It Down, Not Stopping It

Storm water detention is all about temporary storage. When rain falls, detention basins or underground storage systems hold the water and gradually release it at a controlled rate. This prevents flash flooding and maintains more manageable flows in the downstream system, which could be an underground storm sewer system or an open waterway, such as a creek or river.

How Detention Helps Your Community:

• Prevents flooding in neighborhoods and business districts.
• Reduces street closures caused by standing water.
• Protects infrastructure by preventing soil erosion and stream degradation.

Detention basins are often dry between storms, meaning that if designed correctly, they can double as open, green public spaces when not in use—giving communities functional and flood-resilient landscapes.

Storm Water Retention: Holding Onto Water for the Long Haul

Retention ponds, on the other hand, are designed to keep water on-site. Instead of emptying completely, they are designed to hold water for aesthetic or recreational purposes or for water re-use. These ponds can be designed to allow water to soak into the ground, replenish groundwater, and improve water quality. They can also provide a source of water for on-site landscape irrigation. Those scenic ponds you see in parks, housing developments, or near commercial buildings with ducks floating on them? They’re retention ponds at work.

“Water has been a passion of mine ever since I was little, digging trenches and building dams in our sandbox, then unleashing the garden hose to see what would happen. Who knew people actually get paid to build flood models for a living?!? While my childhood creations weren’t exactly technical, they sparked a lifelong interest in stormwater. Now, I get to design systems that range from simple detention basins to retention ponds that serve as centerpieces of a development—each one blending function and aesthetics to meet our clients’ needs.”
– Hubel

How Retention Benefits Your Community:

• Filters out pollutants before water enters lakes, rivers, and streams.
• Helps combat drought by replenishing groundwater supplies and reducing water usage.
• Creates natural habitats for wildlife, adding beauty to developments.

Because retention ponds hold water year-round, they can be designed as community features—scenic ponds, wetland preserves, or even small fishing spots that provide environmental and recreational benefits.

The Role of Outlet Structures

Both detention and retention systems rely on outlet structures to control water flow and ensure effective stormwater management. These structures regulate how much water is released and at what rate.

Common Types of Outlet Structures:

• Orifice Plates – Small openings that slowly release water to prevent downstream flooding.
• Weirs – Used to control flow over a structure, ensuring a steady discharge rate.
• Riser Structures – Vertical pipes that regulate water levels in basins, preventing overflow.
• Control Valves – Adjustable mechanisms that allow engineers to fine-tune water release rates.
• Emergency Spillways – Safety features that provide a backup release route during extreme storm events.

Properly designed outlet structures are essential for preventing backups, ensuring compliance with stormwater regulations, and protecting nearby properties from water damage.

Choosing the Right Solution: It Depends

The right stormwater management approach depends on your location, project goals, and community needs.

• If flood prevention is the main priority, a detention system is usually the best choice.
• If water aesthetics and sustainability are key, retention ponds provide long-term benefits.
• Many developments use a combination of both to balance flood control and environmental impact.

At Schemmer, we design stormwater solutions that work for both the project and the people who rely on it every day. A well-planned system does more than just meet regulations—it makes communities safer, more resilient, and better places to live.

Let’s Plan for a Smarter, Safer Future

Ready to make stormwater management a seamless part of your project? Contact Schemmer today, and let’s design a smarter, safer future together.

SCHEMMER – DESIGN WITH PURPOSE. BUILD WITH CONFIDENCE.

Schemmer is a full-service architecture, engineering, and construction field services consultant providing responsible solutions for complex design and construction-related challenges.

Founded in 1959, we are grounded in our past but remain fully committed to the future. Located in five states and eight offices throughout the Midwest, Schemmer is providing services to clients from coast-to-coast and border-to-border across the United States.

Schemmer’s services include:

• Architecture
• Structural
• Mechanical
• Electrical
• Site/Civil
• Transportation
• Water/Wastewater
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• Geotech
• Field Services

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