Major Flood Control Facilities Operating in DuPage County

ELMHURST, IL - DuPage County Stormwater Management is currently operating all of its major flood control facilities due to the heavy rainfall the area received over the weekend. According to a release from the county, beginning Saturday afternoon, the area has received 2.5 to 3.5 inches of rainfall with an additional 1/4 inch forecasted through Monday.

The county said the precipitation raised elevations in Salt Creek and the West Branch DuPage River enough to trigger operation of the county’s large flood control facilities, including the Elmhurst Quarry, Wood Dale-Itasca Reservoir, Fawell Dam (Naperville), Spring Creek Reservoir (Bloomingdale) and the Armstrong Park Reservoirs (Carol Stream).

According to a release, of the 16 flood control facilities DuPage County operates, these five larger facilities have mechanical equipment allowing staff to control them according to a predetermined operating plan. The remaining facilities protect the surrounding areas from flooding without human intervention using fixed weirs and natural drainage systems. The county said in total, the facilities have a floodwater storage capacity of nearly four billion gallons.

For more information, visit http://ec.dupageco.org/dec/stormwater/watershed/index.html to learn about flood control facilities throughout the county, as well as to view rain and stream gauges, forecasts and real-time pictures.

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