Project Sponsors

Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources (IDNR-OWR)

Current Status

An upgrade to the Levee 37 Pump Station is underway and scheduled for completion in spring 2023. Supply chain issues delayed delivery of key electrical components.

USACE, IDNR, IDOT, and City of Prospect Heights continue to work on final plans for the last Levee 37 Closure Structure.  IDOT must approve the plan and amend their inter-governmental agreement with IDNR before IDOT issues the solicitation for construction, which is scheduled to occur by summer 2023. 

Once the closure structure is completed, USACE and IDNR will finalize certification with FEMA.

Remaining project segments have real estate issues preventing further construction at this time. USACE and IDNR will discuss next steps after completion of these Levee 37 activities.

Project Description and Background

The authorized project consists of six structural elements: two levees, two expansions of existing reservoirs, one lateral storage area and one dam modification. The levee projects include a flood warning system.

Work involves construction of the Mount Prospect/Prospect Heights Levee, also known as Levee 37; the Rand Park Levee, also known as Levee 50, constructed by the non-Federal sponsor; the Buffalo Creek Reservoir expansion; the Big Bend Lake Reservoir Expansion; the Van Patten Woods Lateral Storage area; and the North Fork Mill Creek dam modification. Following the record flood of April 2013, engineers determined the implemented Levee 37 pump station capacity was not sufficient to account for more severe and more frequent flood events experienced since being placed in operation.

Project Authorization

Water Resources Development Act 1999

Project Manager

Jeff Zuercher

Project Location

Lake and Cook Counties, Illinois

Project Area / Photos

Click map to enlarge.