The article discusses stormwater management infrastructure in urban areas. The authors examined two types of stormwater detention basins including best management practices, and flood control. Both were constructed to retain peak stormwater flows. However, best management practices were also designed using basin topography and wetland vegetation to provide water quality improvements such as nutrient and sediment removal and retention. The study compared surface soil phosphorus concentrations, phosphorus saturation, and iron chemistry with natural riparian wetlands in Fairfax County, Virginia. They suggest that nutrient and sediment retention is facilitated by best management practices.