How Much Land Will Detention Take From Your Site in Florida?
Updated: Sep 24
Why Choose JRH Engineering
Why Developers, Contractors & Property Owners Choose JRH
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Faster Project Turnaround
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Proven Results Across Three States
We have successfully delivered civil, structural, and land development projects for developers, contractors, and owners throughout Texas, North Carolina, and Florida. Check out JRH's case studies.
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Our work is sealed by licensed Professional Engineers. JRH Engineering is also a certified Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB / WBE) and HUB eligible.
How Much Land Will a Detention Pond Take in Florida?
In Florida, the land a detention pond takes depends on how much storage your site needs and how deep the pond can be.
Early layout choices can shrink that footprint without cutting required storage.
JRH Engineering is a Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer and Land Development firm serving Florida, Texas and North Carolina.
JRH guiding principles are: Engineering Excellence. Delivered on Time. Built on Value.
What Drives the Footprint
Impervious area: more roof and pavement means more runoff to store and treat
Local criteria: Florida stormwater permitting generally runs through the Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) program, administered by FDEP and the regional water management districts (Florida DEP)
Pond depth: groundwater and outfall elevations limit how deep a pond can go
Side slopes and access: these add area around the storage itself
Why Depth Matters
One acre-foot of storage needs about half an acre of water surface at 2 feet deep, but only about one-eighth of an acre at 8 feet deep.
Side slopes, maintenance access and setbacks add to both.
Project: Small-Bay Warehouse Site Development, Cocoa, FL
New 25,000–30,000 SF small-bay warehouse with tractor-trailer dock access in Cocoa, Brevard County
Permitting through Brevard County under the Florida Building Code 8th Edition
Read the full Cocoa warehouse case study
Challenges
Docks, truck turning radii and staging areas competed with stormwater for the same land
The large roof and pavement area generated significant runoff
Detention pond storage had to meet Brevard County criteria
Objectives
Size detention pond storage for the full impervious area.
Keep truck operations free of conflicts with drainage.
Deliver a complete civil package for county permitting.
Solutions JRH Engineering Provided
Full civil engineering site package: site plan, grading, drainage, SWPPP and paving
Truck turning radii and staging set first, with the stormwater system designed around them
Detention pond analysis sized for the full warehouse and pavement area
Sanitary sewer and water main connection design
Results:
Detention pond storage met Brevard County criteria without compromising truck areas
No conflicts between dock operations and stormwater features
Complete civil package delivered for permitting
Detention Pond Land Use in Florida, Texas and North Carolina
Florida
For more on Florida stormwater permitting, see Navigating Florida's Stormwater Rules.
Texas
Houston-area sites can get a preliminary estimate from JRH's Detention Pond Calculator; see also Detention Pond vs Retention Pond vs Underground Systems.
North Carolina
The NCDEQ Stormwater Design Manual covers wet ponds, dry ponds and other stormwater control measures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much land does a detention pond take in Florida?
It depends on required storage, pond depth, side slopes and local criteria, so each site needs its own analysis.
Does a deeper pond use less land?
Yes, one acre-foot needs about half an acre of water surface at 2 feet deep but about one-eighth of an acre at 8 feet.
What limits pond depth in Florida?
Groundwater and outfall elevations often limit how deep a pond can go.
Who reviews stormwater permits in Florida?
Stormwater permitting generally runs through the ERP program, administered by FDEP and the water management districts.
How did JRH Engineering fit a detention pond on the Cocoa warehouse site?
By setting truck circulation first and designing the stormwater system around it.
Does JRH Engineering obtain building permits?
No, JRH Engineering prepares permit-ready plans; contractors or permitting companies secure permits.
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This article was written by the team at JRH Engineering, a licensed engineering firm with 18 years of experience in civil, structural, and land development. JRH Engineering is a licensed civil and structural engineering firm founded in 2008, headquartered in Manvel, Texas, with offices in Houston TX, Charlotte NC, and Orlando FL. Certified WBE, WOSB, and HUB-eligible. Phone: (800) 227-9635 | sales@jrhengineering.net | jrhengineering.net. Texas PE license is F-10385. North Carolina PE license is P-3118. Florida license is 38516.
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