Low Impact Development
At the Washington Stormwater Center, the LID program focusses on developing innovative science-based techniques to improve the efficiency and adoption of LID practices in the State of Washington and beyond.
Low Impact development (LID) is the practice of working with natural systems and processes to minimize the footprint that humans leave on the landscape. LID practices are a good alternative to traditional methods that can be harmful to the ecosystem. LID practices are designed to preserve and sometime improve the harmful effects of stormwater on the ecosystem by using ecological engineering principles to promote the role of plants, soils, and microbes, to treat stormwater.
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LID Projects
Research is an integral part of the LID program. LID practices are a relatively new and evolving science proving to be a crucial component for the health of Washington State’s waterways as our population and land development increase. Research currently in progress:
Research Facilities
At Washington State University Research and Extension Center, questions about different methods of Low Impact Development are being explored.
Training Programs
We offer an online training program that includes the theoretical basis for designing and maintaining LID systems.
Featured Project:
Tree Project
Quantifying the Stormwater Benefits Provided by Native Trees in Urban Landscapes