Intelligent Stormwater Diversion for Sensitive Wetland Environments
The days of passive wetland protection strategies are over. smartPOND brings automation, real-time monitoring, and intelligent diversion control to one of stormwater management’s most sensitive challenges: protecting wetland hydrology without constant manual intervention.
Healthy wetlands depend on a precise hydrologic balance. Water levels that rise too high can drown emergent vegetation, displace wildlife, and erode banks. Water levels that fall too low can dry out soils, weaken native plant communities, and compromise ecological performance. Historically, maintaining this balance has required constant field oversight and manual control. smartPOND changes that.
smartPOND gives you precise, automated control over a diversion weir positioned between a stormwater system and the wetland. Using continuous water level sensors installed in the wetland, the system monitors depth in real time and automatically opens or closes the diversion structure based on programmed thresholds. The result is a closed-loop control strategy that behaves like an always-on wetland manager.
When wetland water levels are already high during a storm event, smartPOND closes the diversion weir and routes excess stormwater away from the wetland. This protects vegetation, habitat, and sediment structure from damaging surges. When water levels fall below the minimum threshold during dry weather, smartPOND opens the diversion weir and channels available stormwater into the wetland to help maintain hydrology and ecological function.
This application is ideal for municipalities, developers, conservation organizations, parks departments, golf courses, and master-planned communities where a protected or sensitive wetland shares the same landscape as a drainage system. smartPOND makes it possible to protect ecological assets while supporting broader stormwater and compliance goals.
Water Quality Performance of a Batch Type Stormwater Detention Basin
The objective of this research is the retrofit a non-performing extended detention basin of an Austin sand filter to operate as a batch reactor, and the evaluation of the performance of the modifications, based on TSS removal.……CONTINUE READING
Developer Saves Big Using SmartPOND for Water Quality
Velsa Ranch Retail Center originally planned an expensive bioretention system. With the help of Kimley-Horn and Convergent Water Technologies, the team pivoted to the smartPOND batch detention system, saving over $200,000 and reducing construction complexity.……CONTINUE READING
Simplicity Wins Over Hillwood Development at Wolf Ranch in Georgetown Texas
Hidden along the San Gabriel River, Wolf Ranch is Hillwood Developments premier development in Central Texas. With such a breathtaking location, environmental factors are of concern and choosing a partner to help navigate the regulatory process in critical. It is no wonder they chose Kimley-Horn to represent them in the latest phases of this master planned community.……CONTINUE READING
Infiltration basins are one of the two most effective best management practices for water quality. What’s more is that they also recharge aquifers, reduce runoff downstream, reduce peak flows and prevent downstream erosion and flooding. The challenge is that soils can be tricky and their performance can change over time creating a nuisance. SmartPOND changes this. Being able to program your outlet control device allows you to make certain your pond performs as desired. By being able to customize your hold time, you can allow water to infiltrate for the maximum time applicable. If all the water has not left the infiltration pond in the desired amount of time, smartPOND is programmed to release any remaining water downstream.
Smart Solutions After the Storm: How Harris County Transformed Flood Control with smartPOND
After Hurricane Harvey caused catastrophic flooding in Harris County, officials sought smarter ways to manage stormwater. By partnering with Convergent Water Technologies and installing the programmable smartPOND Rotary Weir, they were able to capture, store, and slowly release stormwater to maximize infiltration and reduce……CONTINUE READING
Protect wetlands from storm surges, sustain hydrology during drought, and automate one of the most delicate balancing acts in stormwater management. smartPOND gives you a programmable, field-proven platform that monitors conditions in real time and responds automatically to protect ecological performance.
Every smartPOND installation includes remote monitoring and maintenance for the first year, with long-term support packages available for continued reliability and peace of mind. That maintenance-and-support emphasis is also part of the current smartPOND Batch Detention page structure.
Every SmartPOND installation includes remote monitoring and maintenance for the first year for free to ensure performance, with affordable maintenance and monitoring packages for long-term reliability.
smartPOND is an adaptive, automated stormwater management system that uses water level sensors, remote monitoring, and automated control hardware to manage how stormwater interacts with a wetland. Based on programmed water level thresholds, it can divert water away from a wetland when levels are high or direct water into the wetland when levels are low.
When the wetland water level reaches the upper threshold, smartPOND automatically closes the diversion weir and routes excess stormwater away from the wetland. This helps protect vegetation, habitat, and sediment structure from flooding and erosion.
Yes. When water levels drop below the programmed lower threshold, smartPOND can open the diversion structure and route available stormwater into the wetland to help maintain hydrology and support ecological health.
For wetland diversion applications, smartPOND can be configured with an Automated Rotary Weir for surface release and elevation control, an Automated Slide Gate for bottom release and flow regulation, or automated butterfly valves for piped configurations. These hardware options are described in the attached wetland material and also align with the hardware categories listed on the current Batch Detention page.
Each smartPOND installation includes data logging, remote visibility into water levels and gate position, onboard camera verification, and customizable SMS text or email alerts. The first year of remote monitoring is included.
smartPOND wetland protection is well suited for municipalities, land developers, engineers, conservation organizations, parks departments, golf courses, and communities where a protected or sensitive wetland is part of the broader drainage landscape.
smartPOND is an adaptive, automated stormwater management system designed to optimize detention, infiltration, and drainage. It uses sensors, real-time data monitoring, and remote control capabilities to improve water quality and reduce maintenance while ensuring compliance with evolving regulations.
Yes, smartPOND is designed to meet evolving stormwater regulations, including batch detention requirements per the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Edwards Aquifer Protection Plan (EAPP). It also adapts to new pollutant standards, making compliance easier.
smartPOND offers three automated stormwater control solutions:
Automated Valves: 6–12” butterfly valves with full connectivity and sensor spools.
Automated Weirs: 24” x 24” rotary weirs for surface release and water elevation control.
Automated Gates: 36” x 16” slide gates for bottom release and flow regulation.
smartPOND reduces detention pond sizes, cutting land development costs. It eliminates the need for frequent media replacements and minimizes manual inspections, lowering long-term operational expenses. Its automation ensures optimized water management, improving efficiency while reducing labor costs.
Unlike traditional fixed stormwater controls, smartPOND is fully programmable and can adjust to changing regulations for pollutants like phosphorus, nitrogen, and metals. It also offers automation, remote monitoring, and real-time maintenance alerts, reducing manual inspections and operational costs.
smartPOND is ideal for batch detention for water quality, real-time optimization for smaller detention ponds, and predictive weather management. It can be used in retention, detention, and rainwater harvesting systems.
smartPOND features a plug-and-play design, making installation simple and requiring no complex wiring. It has modular components that can be easily replaced, and routine inspections can be monitored remotely via an onboard camera. Automated alerts notify users about upcoming maintenance needs.
smartPOND provides superior water quality control with a 91% Total Suspended Solids (TSS) removal rate, reduces detention volume by up to 50%, minimizes maintenance, and allows for real-time optimization. It also helps developers save space and costs by decreasing the required detention pond size.
smartPOND achieves a 91% TSS removal rate, a 32% Total Nitrogen (TN) removal rate, and a 57% Total Phosphorus (TP) removal rate. By automating detention and infiltration, it enhances pollutant removal without
Yes, smartPOND offers real-time remote monitoring and control. Users can track water levels, gate positions, temperatures, and maintenance records through an online dashboard. Alerts are sent via email or smartphone to notify operators of system updates.
If you and your team would like to learn more about smartPOND, Batch Detention, Stormwater Management, or any of the wide variety of products and services we offer, schedule a LUNCH & LEARN today.
