Low Impact Development

Low Impact Development (LID) is a term for a group of techniques that will reduce the stormwater impact upon the surrounding landscape. LID techniques may impact the quantity of stormwater run-off, the quality of stormwater run-off, or both. LID has been around for a number of years, and is commonplace in some parts of the country. The Columbia area will be seeing more LID as developers use it to conform with the Columbia stormwater ordinance passed in 2007.  Some examples of LID techniques are rainbarrels and cisterns, porous pavement, raingardens/wetlands, and green roofs.

The Hinkson Creek Watershed Restoration Project has helped to fund several LID structures (above) within the last four years, and we are eager to help fund more. For more information on these interesting projects, click the pictures above. Through our program, we pay 60% of the installation costs, and the businessowner or landowner pays the other 40%. As you can see from our photos, LID techniques can be aesthetic features that can enhance the appearance of their surroundings, and even play an educational role.