One possible question for Iowa Flood Center staffers: Retention pond or detention pond?

One key question about the proposed Menard's store in the Freeport floodplain is whether the proposed retention pond for the site would be an effective way of reducing flooding chances.

Plans call for construction of a retention pond on the proposed Menard's property, one which would have space enough to handle runoff flood waters.  Menard's spokesperson Tyler Edwards has previously said that because no additional rock or dirt will be hauled onto the site, the flooding risk would not increase.

City Engineer Lindsay Erdman said he has not studied that issue, but stated there are "differing opinions" than Edwards' opinion.

Critics of the retention pond say that because it would be designed to always have water in it, its effectiveness would be limited.

Iowa Flood Center staffers have done computer modeling of stormwater flows in the area of the proposed Menard's store.  The issue of the effectiveness of a retention pond--as opposed to a detention pond, which is designed to be dry until rainfall occurs--could very well be one of the issues discussed.