Project Home

Des Plaines River - Phase II

Project Manager: Jeffrey Zuercher

Authority:

Water Resources Development Act 1999, Section 419

Project Description:

The Des Plaines River flows from southeast Wisconsin to northeast Illinois.  It is 67 miles long, flowing through 33 municipalities.  There is frequent flooding.  In 1986, the flood of record occurred and affected 15,000 residents, their dwellings and businesses, as well as the area’s transportation network. This study expands the area of concern from the mainstem in Illinois to include the entire Upper Des Plaines watershed comprised of 15 tributaries in Illinois and Wisconsin.  In addition to flood risk management, the purpose of this study also includes ecosystem restoration, water quality, and recreation features. There are over 43 municipalities in the watershed that contend with flood damages from the Des Plaines River and tributaries.  Recent flood events include May 2004, August 2007, September 2008 and December 2008, which resulted in significant flood damages and disaster declarations.  The Phase II study has three primary objectives: further reduction of main stem flooding; reduction of tributary flooding; and environmental restoration of degraded ecosystems within the basin.  The study will consider sites located within tributary watersheds and along the main stem for both Flood Risk Management (FRM) and Ecosystem Restoration (ER) potential.  The effects of FRM sites within tributary watersheds on main stem flooding will be evaluated.

Costs:

Current Status:

Work continues on finalizing the draft feasibility report for the Alternative Formulation Briefing.  Agency Technical Review and internal reviews are being finalized for submission to higher headquarters. ARRA funds of $482,000 were provided in FY09 to perform work on Independent External Peer Review (IEPR) and Model Certification, which should be completed later this FY. Please check back later for public release of the feasibility study.

Project Sponsors:

Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources
Cook County and Lake County, IL; and Kenosha County, WI.