---
title: Do Retention Ponds Actually Work?
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPksDeGoh4E
source: youtube-com-practicalengineeringchannel
published: 2026-02-03T14:01:36Z
updated: 2026-09-03T16:52:11Z
first_seen: 2026-09-08T10:17:10.166315Z
authors:
- Practical Engineering
summary: |-
  An overview of the engineering behind stormwater ponds

  Errata: 5 acres is about 2 hectares. Sorry for the conversion error!

  Part park, part plumbing, mostly hiding in plain sight, they are often carefully tuned pieces of infrastructure that help keep the city’s head above water.

  Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/practical-engineering-the-hidden-engineering-of-stormwater-ponds

  Signed copies of my book (plus other cool stuff) are available here: https://store.practical.engineering/

  Practical Engineering is a YouTube channel about infrastructure and the human-made world around us. It is hosted, written, and produced by Grady Hillhouse. We have new videos posted regularly, so please subscribe for updates. If you enjoyed the video, hit that ‘like’ button, give us a comment, or watch another of our videos!

  CONNECT WITH ME
  ____________________________________
  Website:         http://practical.engineering
  Twitter:           https://twitter.com/HillhouseGrady
  Instagram:     https://www.instagram.com/practicalengineering
  Reddit:            https://www.reddit.com/r/PracticalEngineering
  Facebook:      https://www.facebook.com/PracticalEngineerGrady​
  Patreon:         http://patreon.com/PracticalEngineering

  SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES
  ____________________________________
  Please email my agent at practicalengineering@standard.tv

  DISCLAIMER
  ____________________________________
  This is not engineering advice. Everything here is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Contact an engineer licensed to practice in your area if you need professional advice or services. All non-licensed clips used for fair use commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.

  SPECIAL THANKS
  ____________________________________
  This video is sponsored by SendCutSend.
  Stock video and imagery provided by Getty Images, Shutterstock, Pond5, and Videoblocks.
  Video by Grady Hillhouse
  Edited by Wesley Crump
  Produced by Ralph Crewe
  Graphics by Nebula Studios

  MUSIC CREDITS
  ____________________________________
  Cactus Song from Epidemic Sound
  Practical Engineering Theme composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
  Woodland Expedition composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
  Water and Light composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
  Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
  Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fBPdu8w9U
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---

An overview of the engineering behind stormwater ponds

Errata: 5 acres is about 2 hectares. Sorry for the conversion error!

Part park, part plumbing, mostly hiding in plain sight, they are often carefully tuned pieces of infrastructure that help keep the city’s head above water.

Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/practical-engineering-the-hidden-engineering-of-stormwater-ponds

Signed copies of my book (plus other cool stuff) are available here: https://store.practical.engineering/

Practical Engineering is a YouTube channel about infrastructure and the human-made world around us. It is hosted, written, and produced by Grady Hillhouse. We have new videos posted regularly, so please subscribe for updates. If you enjoyed the video, hit that ‘like’ button, give us a comment, or watch another of our videos!

CONNECT WITH ME\
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\
Website: http://practical.engineering\
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HillhouseGrady\
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicalengineering\
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/PracticalEngineering\
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PracticalEngineerGrady​\
Patreon: http://patreon.com/PracticalEngineering

SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES\
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\
Please email my agent at practicalengineering@standard.tv

DISCLAIMER\
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\
This is not engineering advice. Everything here is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Contact an engineer licensed to practice in your area if you need professional advice or services. All non-licensed clips used for fair use commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.

SPECIAL THANKS\
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\
This video is sponsored by SendCutSend.\
Stock video and imagery provided by Getty Images, Shutterstock, Pond5, and Videoblocks.\
Video by Grady Hillhouse\
Edited by Wesley Crump\
Produced by Ralph Crewe\
Graphics by Nebula Studios

MUSIC CREDITS\
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\
Cactus Song from Epidemic Sound\
Practical Engineering Theme composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)\
Woodland Expedition composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)\
Water and Light composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)\
Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License\
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fBPdu8w9U