DuPage County Stormwater Management Flood Control Facilities in Operation

From DuPage County

Updated: April 19, 9:35 a.m.

DuPage County Stormwater Management continues to operate all of its larger flood control facilities due to rainfall accumulated throughout the week.

The National Weather Service reported approximately 4 to 6 inches of rainfall beginning Wednesday, with minimal precipitation forecasted throughout the day Friday. The County streams and rivers are showing signs of receding from this accumulation. However, this precipitation raised elevations in Salt Creek and the West Branch DuPage River enough for DuPage County Stormwater Management to continue operations of Fawell Dam (Naperville), Spring Creek Reservoir (Bloomingdale), Elmhurst Quarry (Elmhurst) and Wood Dale-Itasca Reservoir (Wood Dale). Smaller, gravity operated facilities are also operating. 

Of the 15 flood control facilities DuPage County operates, these four 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.

The County anticipates operations ending in some facilities later in the day.

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Original information

DuPage County Stormwater Management is operating all of its larger flood control facilities due to rainfall accumulated beginning Wednesday into early Thursday.

The National Weather Service reported approximately 4 to 5 inches of rain throughout the area early Thursday with an additional 1 to 2 inches of rainfall forecasted throughout the day. This precipitation raised elevations in Salt Creek and the West Branch DuPage River enough for DuPage County Stormwater Management to operate its flood control facilities, including Fawell Dam (Naperville), Spring Creek Reservoir (Bloomingdale), Elmhurst Quarry (Elmhurst) and Wood Dale-Itasca Reservoir (Wood Dale). Smaller, gravity operated facilities are also operating. 

Of the 15 flood control facilities DuPage County operates, these four 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. 

Based on current forecast models, the County expects operation of the flood control facilities to continue throughout the day on Thursday.

Find real-time stream and rain gage information.