Pond Management

Pond management starts by knowing what type of pond you have. Certain ponds are designed as stormwater management facilities that provide stormwater control for developed areas. Other ponds may provide aesthetic value and recreational purposes. Ponds can be dry, holding water only after it rains, or they can be wet, always holding water.

Regularly inspecting your pond or stormwater management facility is essential to verify that the pond is functioning correctly, which can help prevent flooding. They should be checked routinely to:

• Ensure the pond meets the original design specifications and compliance (i.e., sediment accumulation, organic growth, and designed pond depth).
• Manage and prevent the overgrowth of vegetation.
• Remove trees and woody vegetation where they were not originally designed.
• Keep pipe ends and control structures clear of vegetation, sediment, and debris.
• Clean and keep inlets clear of debris, like pine straw.
• Manage debris and trash.
• Control erosion of slopes, dams, or banks.
• Identify damage or failure of the stormwater drainage system (i.e., pipes, control structure).

Private Stormwater Management Facilities

Privately owned stormwater management facilities installed from 2017 onward are required to submit an annual inspection report to the Town. This report must be conducted by a qualified individual in accordance with the recorded stormwater operations and maintenance agreements. The Town will review the facility's status and reach out to the owner to discuss the report and any necessary repairs or maintenance actions.

Common Pond Issues

• Duckweed: Duckweed is an invasive species of floating vegetation that can migrate from pond to pond on turtles, ducks, geese, and alligators.
• Algal Blooms: Algae are naturally present in most water bodies. An overabundance of nutrients, such as lawn fertilizer or pesticide applications, combined with warmer temperatures, sunlight, or stagnant water, can lead to rapid algae growth and the formation of blooms.
  
  To minimize the chances of an algal bloom, avoid overapplying lawns and green space areas, pick up pet waste from the ground, and plant vegetated buffers around water bodies. Some algal blooms can produce toxins that are harmful to humans and animals.
  
  For more information about harmful algal blooms, please refer to the SC Department of Environmental Services at https://des.sc.gov/programs/bureau-water/aquatic-science/harmful-algal-blooms

• Fish Kills: Fish kills are a sudden die-off of fish in a body of water. Fish kills can occur within a pond from chemical applications to the surrounding pond area or within the pond, low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in the pond, and harmful algal blooms. Fish kills can also result from sudden extreme weather events, such as rapid temperature spikes or drops. These abrupt changes can trigger pond turnover, particularly during the spring and fall, leading to a depletion of dissolved oxygen and causing harm to aquatic life. Additionally, saltwater tidal influence from higher king tides into a normally freshwater pond can also cause fish kills.

Contact Us

If a Town-owned pond is overgrown with vegetation or in need of inspecting, please contact the Stormwater Utility at 843-341-4602, stormwater@hiltonheadislandsc.gov, or our MyHHI mobile app.

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