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Stormwater Management

What is Stormwater Management?
Stormwater management is the method for channeling rainfall through pipes and sewers away from property to an appropriate body of water or outfall.  Excess stormwater requires careful management as the ramifications, like flooding, can negatively affect the City and residents.  Typically, stormwater is managed through an underground storm sewer system.  However, extreme rain events may overwhelm this type of municipal infrastructure.  Excess water that travels on impervious surfaces (e.g., surfaces that do not absorb water), such as roads, may also become contaminated before reaching the outfall location.  

To learn more about stormwater management, please see the City of Highland Park Stormwater Management Fact Sheet, Benefits of On-Site Stormwater Management, or visit The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission.

United States Army Corps of Engineers:
The City is continuing to work with the US Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) to initiate a preliminary flood damage assessment study for both rivers, Skokie River and Middle Fork, watershed areas. Since the two rivers impact both Lake and Cook Counties, the City is leading the preliminary joint study effort in partnership with Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (LCSMC), Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), and neighboring municipalities. The preliminary study will entail updating older hydraulic studies with the recent flood events along the two rivers. The study will result in the determination of a final feasibility study to provide long-term flood mitigation solutions. The preliminary joint study will be funded by partnering agencies, with ACOE leading the study. The study is expected to be completed in 2018. In the interim,  the city has worked with residents to mitigate flooding concerns with the voluntary sewer lateral cost-share program, providing technical assistance to minimize sewer backups, FEMA Buy-Out program, educating on floodplain areas and permitting, and providing general assistance on flooding.

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