Design Consideration
Detention Basin
Detention basins are used to reduce the peak outflow from a location. Urban
development results in increased impervious areas which causes faster catchment responses
and higher peak flow rates. Basins are often employed to return peak flow rates and volumes to
the pre-developed condition to prevent the development resulting in adverse flood impacts
downstream. The following are the design considerations for the detention basin which are all
based on the Design Guidelines, Criteria and Standards: Water Engineering Projects 2015
Volume 3:
1. Sizing
The size of the basin will be governed by the volume of flow generated from the
upstream catchment, and the amount of retardation required of the flow. It is preferable
to utilize a computer model to size the basin, in order to properly simulate the hydraulic
conditions at the outlet. If an appropriate computer program is not available, the sizing
can be undertaken
using manual flow routing based on the storage equation. This requires the upstream
hydrograph. The storage equation is:
T (l n +l n+ 1) T ( Qn +Qn+1 )
Sn +1= − +1
2 2
Where:
I = inflow rate
S = volume in storage
Q= outflow rate
T= routing time step
1, 2= start and finish times of the routing step
2. Basin floor
The basin floor should be graded at a minimum cross gradient of 1 in 80 for
grassed or concrete basins, or 1 in 100 for vegetated basins, in order to allow efficient
surface drainage.
3. Outlet and Inlet
The outlet structure should be located at the low point of the basin, typically near
to the downstream end. The outlet may be constructed as a pipe, culvert, orifice plate,
drop pit, or similar. The important factor is that whatever solution is adopted, it is capable
of restricting basin outflow to the desired rate under a range of storm events.
4. Release Timing
The design of the release of stored storm water is critical to the success of a
retention basin. A typical basin with reduce the peak of the downstream flood
hydrograph, and produce some attenuation of the flood peak. Care needs to be taken to
ensure that the delayed flood peak does not cause adverse effects downstream through
coincident flooding. This is particularly important if multiple basins are employed in a
single catchment. It is generally preferable for basins to be considered as a part of a
catchment wide analysis.
5. Public Safety
Basins can pose a public safety risk due to the depth of the ponding water, and
through currents in the basin, particularly around the outlet structure. Hazards may not
be immediately apparent to the public, particularly if the basin serves a dual use as
public space. A detailed risk assessment of all basins should be undertaken. At a
minimum, the assessment should address:
a. Basin grades – these should be 1 in 6 or shallower if there is public access to allow
egress up the wet slope. If steeper grades are used, steps with handrails should be
provided.
b. Ponding depth - basin depths should be restricted to 1.2 m for at least the 20 year
flood, and preferably larger events. This is unless public access to the basin is
excluded completely with fencing (i.e. it is not a dual purpose basin).
c. Signage – warning signs and depth gauges may be appropriate.
d. Outlet structure safety – methods of preventing trapped persons being drawn into the
basin outlet should be employed.
e. Fencing – fences should only be utilized as a last resort.
6. Overland Flowpaths/spillway
Overland flowpaths are designed to carry flow in excess of the piped capacity.
Where possible, overland flowpaths should not be contained within private properties. If
this is unavoidable, a drainage easement should be obtained to contain the overland
flow path, in order to allow maintenance teams to undertake any required control works.
Any potential or likely blockage of the flowpath (due to fences, crossings, vegetation,
etc.) should be considered at the time of design, and an appropriate safety factor
adopted in determining the size of the overland flowpath. The design of the overland
flowpath should control flow such that:
The product of flow depth and velocity (V*D) is less than or equal to 0.4 m2/s
The flowpath has sufficient capacity to meet the design discharge for major drainage as
identified in Section 6.2.2
