CLEMSON — Clemson University researchers are trying to find ways to ease damage from floods like those last month in Greenville.

Civil engineering professor David Werth said certain plants slow rushing water, causing backup and overflow. Werth wants to identify plants that allow water to flow freely to help cities and towns plan developments around waterways.

“People don’t like concrete,” Werth said. “Our goal is to ultimately be able to recommend certain types of plants that will prevent erosion and will also have the least impact on floodwaters.”

Last month, more than 175 homes were damaged after heavy rains flooded the Greenville area.

Werth also said his research could help the Federal Emergency Management Agency better estimate the size of flood plains.

The first stage of Werth’s experiments measured the resistance of living plants to water rushing through a 100-foot-long outdoor flume at a rate of 15,000 gallons per minute. The second stage will change the density of the plants and the plants used.

City of Clemson engineer Ben Rankin said the city tries to minimize the amount of hard surfaces that allow water to run into streams and rivers rather than absorb into the ground.

“We try to minimize the effects of development, but as time goes by, you get more and more development,” Rankin said. “Just from a common-sense perspective, we’re supportive of any type of research” into flood prevention.