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Case Studies of LID Implementation and Performance

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Stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces severely impacts Ohio ’s coastal communities and environments. It erodes streams, overloads drainage systems and water treatment facilities, increases flooding, impairs water quality, and degrades habitats. The severity of these impacts has increased with the number of heavy storms in Ohio, which are up 31 percent over the past 50 years. Traditional “pipe and pond ” approaches to stormwater management do not adequately prevent flooding or protect water quality. Fortunately, there are low-impact development (LID) alternatives that promote infiltration of rainwater where it falls, thereby reducing floods and promoting clean water. A 2011 Collaborative Research project led by the Old Woman Creek Reserve provided a much-needed local demonstration of different LID stormwater treatment techniques and promoted the use of these approaches throughout the state.

This report, compiled by the project team, contains case studies of LID implementation and performance in Ohio. Designed to be a technical and educational resource for stormwater professionals and others seeking to learn about the performance of LID stormwater technologies in Ohio, the report synthesizes key information about design, construction, and monitoring from the project.