Urban Ponds and Canals as Micro-Storage Nodes for Flood Resilience

Komal B; Surya S

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i01.68017

Urban Ponds and Canals as Micro-Storage Nodes for Flood Resilience

Author(s)	Ms. Komal B, Prof. Surya S
Country	India
Abstract	Urban flooding has emerged as a critical challenge in rapidly urbanizing cities due to increased surface imperviousness, loss of natural drainage systems, and the rising frequency of extreme rainfall events. Conventional flood-management approaches continue to rely heavily on centralized grey infrastructure, which often proves inadequate under climate-induced hydrological stress. In contrast, decentralized and nature-based solutions such as urban ponds and canals remain underutilized despite their inherent capacity to store, delay, and infiltrate stormwater. This paper investigates the role of urban ponds and canals as decentralized micro-storage nodes within urban flood-resilience frameworks. It examines their hydrological, spatial, and ecological functions and identifies a key research gap: the absence of a parameter-based planning framework to evaluate and integrate these waterbodies into urban flood-management systems. To address this gap, eight national and international case studies including examples from Singapore, India, China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Iraq are analysed to assess the hydrological performance of ponds and canal systems under flood conditions. Through comparative analysis, ten critical performance parameters are identified, including storage capacity, infiltration rate, retention and detention time, peak-flow attenuation, runoff volume, retention capacity ratio, pond depth, side slope stability, sedimentation rate, and catchment–pond relationship. These parameters are synthesized into quantitative, planning-oriented guidelines that provide measurable benchmarks for assessing, restoring, and redesigning urban ponds and canals as functional micro-storage units. The findings demonstrate that when reconnected, restored, and systemically integrated, urban ponds and canals can collectively operate as a decentralized blue-green infrastructure network capable of significantly reducing flood peaks, enhancing groundwater recharge, and improving urban resilience. The study contributes a replicable, evidence-based framework to support water-sensitive and climate-responsive urban planning, particularly in the context of Indian cities.
Keywords	Urban Flood Resilience, Urban Ponds, Urban Canals, Micro-Storage Nodes, Blue–Green Infrastructure, Nature-Based Solutions, Stormwater Management
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 1, January-February 2026
Published On	2026-02-05
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i01.68017

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Urban Ponds and Canals as Micro-Storage Nodes for Flood Resilience

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