Most buyers express concern when they see a detention pond or basin near a home. It is often confused with a retention pond which is used as flood control and similar to a dam, holding water throughout the year. The purpose of a detention area is to slow down the water flow from storm water and avoid the erosion and damage to the land. It is designed to hold water for only 24-48 hours (which is regulated by local governing authorities) so it does not pose any issue with mosquitoes that so many people associate with it. Actually, it can be a benefit to leave near a detention basin. It can reduce the risk of flooding issues on your property and besides that, you get to enjoy the undeveloped when you are living in close quarters within a subdivision. Better yet, kids just love to have a ball game in the bowl!