Bioretention, Low Impact Development, and Stormwater Management

This chapter provides a historical overview of stormwater management in the United States, the development and adoption of the low impact development (LID) approach, and a detailed review of the bioretention best management practice (BMP). The stormwater management historical overview introduces readers to the evolution of water-related regulations, from flood control (water quantity management), to water quality improvement, to the present holistic ecosystem protection. The LID section highlights a variety of techniques that achieve a “low impact to the environment” where urban development takes place. The last section of the chapter covers the bioretention BMP on aspects of current research methods, underlying principles, design considerations, performances, and challenges in implementing bioretention.