That’s A Good Question

Q. What is the ‘bleed down orifice’ in a discharge control structure?

A. In stormwater retention ponds/lakes, a discharge control structure is used to regulate the flow rate of stormwater leaving a site to meet state water quality requirements. The bleed down orifice is an opening in the structure which is set at a designed elevation. As the water rises in the retention pond/lake, it discharges through the bleed down orifice until the designed elevation is achieved.