Detention ponds are essential to manage flood risk. But they only work as well as they're maintained. With these best practices, you can keep up with detention pond maintenance without a hitch. 

Change Up Your Mowing Pattern 

Detention ponds are designed to hold water temporarily and drain it slowly to prevent flooding. The kicker is that your mowing pattern can affect how well the detention system works. When you mow in the same pattern each time, the water will flow to the same spots and cause erosion that leaves sediment and soil in the water.

When sediment builds up too much, the detention pond can't hold the same amount of water it was designed to hold. Suddenly, you have a flood risk — something the detention pond was supposed to prevent in the first place. 

Get Rid of Weeds

Weeds are the main enemy of drainage. A big part of detention pond maintenance is keeping weeds at bay and removing them at the first sign of growth. If weeds are left to grow, a detention pond may not drain correctly, and flood risk increases.

Be Mindful of Slopes

Every detention pond is a little different, but most will have a slight slope. Some might have a steeper angle than others, and it's important to be wary of that. Mowing on a slope that's too steep is a huge risk for maintenance crews, leading to falls or rollovers when using a riding mower. 

Assessing the slope before you start working with a new detention pond is key. Remember that long grass can be deceiving, so make sure to get near the pond to understand the slope's angle. 

Make the Job Easier With RC Mowers

At RC Mowers, we know that detention pond maintenance is a big priority, but the job itself is risky. Stop taking unnecessary risks — choose the R Series Remote-Operated Robotic Mower. This game-changing mower allows operators to stand at a safe distance while they tackle rugged weeds and steep slopes. 

The R Series has a durable design capable of withstanding all types of rugged terrain. Superior ground clearance and first-pass yield make this machine an efficiency tool beyond what you thought was possible. Tackle tall grasses, weeds, brush, and everything in between with RC Mowers.

See What the R Series Can Do

You can take our word for it, or you can see the R Series in action. Request a demo today to see what this badass mower can do, or contact our team to talk more about the tech.