First off, what is LID? It stands for Low Impact Development, which is an approach to development that uses innovative stormwater management techniques and works with the existing hydrology and conditions, as much as possible, so that it will have little impact on the site. You may be thinking this doesn’t sound like the most interesting topic, but take a look at some of these top examples that have been incorporated into landscapes across the James River watershed and you may be singing a different tune. Make a trip to visit some of these sites and come home inspired with a new way to view the landscape and water around you.
1. John Paul Jones Arena at the University of Virginia: Throughout the parking area and around the building you will see biofiltration areas that capture and filter the stormwater.
2. ‘Green Street’ along Capitol Street at Capitol Square, Richmond: Take a walk along the sidewalk and you will see rain gardens along the street that capture and filter stormwater.
3. Riverfront Park and Jefferson Street, Lynchburg: There is a variety of LID practices throughout this site. Take a look at the permeable pavers in the parking area and the series of rain gardens within the parking islands that capture the stormwater. There is also a large linear rain garden that you can walk over along the pedestrian bridges.
4. RiverBluff Conservation Community, Charlottesville: This neighborhood incorporates a series of rains gardens that collect and filter the stormwater. Many of the homes also have rainwater harvesting systems.
5. Conservation Garden at the Virginia Living Museum: Here you can see green roofs in action and take a walk through the garden to see the use of native plantings. The building incorporates rain barrels and cisterns to collect stormwater.
For more information about LID:
http://www.lowimpactdevelopment.org/index.html
http://www.epa.gov/owow/NPS/lid/
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