Low Impact Development (LID) is a stormwater management technique that seeks to mimic natural systems, primarily through gardens and landscaping, while also offering a functional stormwater run-off system.

LID Projects in Fort Collins:

• Library Park Rain Garden
• Mitchell Block Paving Project
• Odell Brewery
• The Grove

Low Impact Development:

• Mimics natural hydrology by using design techniques that infiltrate, filter, store, evaporate and detain runoff close to its source
• Addresses stormwater through small, cost-effective landscape features located at the lot level
• Applies equally well to new development, urban retrofits and redevelopment/revitalization projects

For more information about LID principles and practices, please refer to the following resources:

• City of Fort Collins
  • Managing Stormwater Naturally (YouTube)
  • Managing Stormwater Nautrally (PDF presentation)

• Environmental Protection Agency
  • Low Impact Development 

• North Carolina State
  • LID Guidebook

• University of New Hampshire
  • Stormwater Center

• Villanova University 
  • Urban Stormwater Partnership

Contact civil engineer Basil Hamdan at bhamdan@fcgov.com or 970-224-6035 for more information.

View How LID Works