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Low Impact Design (LID)
Low impact design (LID) is a cost effective way to manage storm or melt water on-site. Slowing and detaining storm water prevents a rush of pollutant laden waters to lakes and streams. Flashes of floodwater also cause in-stream erosion. Warmed water from parking lots should cool down before it reenters the natural drainage system to prevent thermal pollution and harm to stream life.
LID techniques use smaller pockets of land on a site to manage storm water runoff. For example, rather than using one massive detention basin, storm water may find its way to indented parking lot landscape islands.
LID Examples
Water can be detained and treated using such things as:
- Cisterns
- Green roofs
- Meadow plantings
- Porous pavement
- Rain gardens
- Swales
- Underground reservoirs
Related Documents
- Create A Rain Garden (PDF)
- Eco Friendly Neighbor Bookmark (PDF)
- Green Infrastructure Funding Options (PDF)
- Green Infrastructure Retrofits (PDF)
- Green Infrastructure Streets (PDF)
- Green Infrastructure Water Harvesting (PDF)
- Greening Storm Water (PDF)
- How To Create A Rain Garden (PDF)
- Low Impact Design (LID) Booklet (PDF)
- Low Impact Design (LID) Developer Brochure (PDF)
- Low Impact Design (LID) Developers Guide (PDF)
- Low Impact Design (LID) Homeowner Brochure (PDF)
- Low Impact Design (LID) Homeowners Guide (PDF)
- Low Impact Design (LID) Local Governments Guide (PDF)
- Low Impact Design (LID) Manual (PDF)
- Low Impact Design (LID) Municipal Brochure (PDF)
- Parking Lots and Trees (PDF)
- Porous Asphalt Parking Lots (PDF)
- Rain Gardens Article (PDF)
- Reducing Stormwater Costs (PDF)
- The Solution To Pollution (PDF)