Sediment Basin

A sediment basin is a temporary pond, typically formed by an earthen embankment, built to capture stormwater runoff from a construction site and hold it long enough for suspended sediment to settle out before the water is released or infiltrates.

Basin volume and surface area are sized using drainage area, soil erodibility (K-factor), site slope, and design storm depth — the same inputs used in a sediment basin sizing calculator. Improperly sized basins are a common source of stormwater permit violations.