This pond collects the overflow water from the Roombeek, the stream that runs through the campus. The water is allowed to slowly infiltrate into the soil to replenish the groundwater table. After heavy rainfall, the lower banks of the Roombeek behind the Zilverling overflow into the retention pond. This reduces the water level in the Roombeek and the risk of flooding downstream. A weir allows regulation of the level of water in the Roombeek.
