Above / The DuPage River is rushing and roaring through downtown Naperville, overflowing its banks. DuPage County Stormwater Management is operating flood control facilities this morning, including Fawell Dam in Naperville. (PN Photo 7:45AM May 1, 2017)
Wheaton – DuPage County Stormwater Management is currently operating all of its major flood control facilities, as well as several smaller, gravity-operated flood control facilities, following rainfall over the weekend.
Beginning Saturday afternoon, DuPage County received 2.5 to 3.5 inches of rainfall countywide with an additional ¼ of an inch forecasted through Monday. This 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).
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. In total, the facilities have a floodwater storage capacity of nearly four billion gallons.
DuPage County Stormwater Management staff will continue to monitor stream elevations and provide updates as they become available. For more information, local agencies and residents may visithttp://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.
Story submitted by Evan Shields, Public Information Officer, DuPage County Board.
Editor’s Note / Always respect the power of water in local ponds, streams and rivers. Before making assumptions that the youngsters in your life know about water safety, talk to them about puddles and keeping drains clear along the curb. Thank you.
