DuPage Stormwater Management Hosts Elmhurst Quarry Tours

ELMHURST, IL — A public tour of the Elmhurst Quarry Flood Control Facility will be held by DuPage County Stormwater Management in partnership with the Elmhurst History Museum. According to a release, the event will be held on Sept. 30.

Stormwater Management Committee Chairman Jim Zay said in a release DuPage County residents will have the opportunity to tour the quarry to learn how the county uses it to manage floodwater, along with its history in the community.

“The Elmhurst Quarry holds 2.7 billion gallons of stormwater and is by far the largest flood control facility of our 16 pump stations and reservoirs. However, not only is it one of our most important flood control facilities, it also has the most interesting history,” Zay said in a release. “Because of its unique presence in the county, residents are always interested in visiting it, and this tour allows us to accommodate a large number of visitors.”

According to the release, the Elmhurst Quarry is the largest of five mechanically operated flood control facilities in DuPage County. Using a predetermined operating plan, DuPage County Stormwater Management staff allows floodwater to enter the Elmhurst Quarry via a 400-foot tunnel, which runs under Illinois Route 83. The quarry holds the floodwater until water elevations recede enough to pump the water back into Salt Creek.

Tours will depart from the Elmhurst History Museum, located at 120 E. Park Ave. in Elmhurst, via bus every 30 minutes from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. According to the release, each tour will last approximately two hours. Cost for the tour is $10 per person, payable to the Elmhurst History Museum. After the visit to the quarries, guests can also take a self-guided tour of the Elmhurst History Museum’s exhibit “By All Accounts: The Story of Elmhurst,” which includes more information about the quarry’s history.

According to the release, quarry tour ticket sales will begin at 9 a.m. Sept. 6. Tickets can purchased online on the Elmhurst History Museum’s website at www.elmhursthistory.org in the Special Events section. Children 10 and older are allowed, but must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call the Elmhurst History Museum at (630) 833-1457.

Photos provided by DuPage County.