ESDD_.org

The District annually inspects over 13 miles of open drainage ditch for blockages and other changes which may adversely affect the operations of the open ditch.

The District completed a 3 year comprehensive ditch cleaning project in 2005, which greatly improved the flow rate and operation of the entire open ditch system.

Each year the District removes debris and fallen trees which are discovered as part of the annual inspection process.

Reports of ditch blockages and other concerns relating to the operation of the District’s drainage ditch can be reported to Anderson Engineering by calling (847) 295-3322.

In addition to maintaining an open ditch clear of blockages, the District over the last ten years has undertaken several major streambank stabilization projects including the following:

Danny Cunniff Park Streambank Project, Highland Park, IL

Deerpath Golf Course Project, Phase I, Lake Forest, IL

Deerpath Golf Course Project, Phase II, Lake Forest, IL

Valley Road Streambank Project, Lake Forest, IL

In addition to the completed projects, the District is currently completing the Foss Park Golf Course Streambank Stabilization Project which will repair extensive bank erosion over a distance of approximately one mile of open ditch.

The District maintains approximately 3 miles of underground pipes located in the northern portion of the District. A comprehensive Pipe Study completed by the Christopher Burke Engineering firm in 2008, has allowed the District to plan significant repair and pipe replacement projects. Currently the District is working with the U.S. Navy to replace more than a half mile of underground pipes located through the Willow Glen Navy Golf Course.

Other pipe projects include:

Greenbelt Forest Preserve Pipe Project, North Chicago, Illinois

Northern Avenue Pipe Project (extending from Martin Luther King Blvd. south to the Willow Glen Navy Golf Course)

An integral component to drainage within the District is the construction and maintenance of stormwater storage facilities and wetlands. The District has participated in the study of numerous locations within the District for purposes of assessing the feasibility of constructing additional stormwater storage or wetlands.

Those studies include the following:

STS Study Skokie Headwaters

North Chicago Study

Lake Bluff Study

As a result of the Skokie Headwaters Study the District is currently negotiating an Intergovernmental Agreement to maintain approximately 4.2 acres of improved wetlands that are currently being constructed north of Washington Street, Park City, Illinois which would commit the District to maintaining the wetlands for a five year period.

In addition to maintaining underground pipes, the District continues to evaluate whether buried waterways can be converted to surface streams. Stream daylighting projects under many circumstances can increase hydraulic capacity over that provided by an underground pipe and relieve choke points and flooding from under-capacity culverts. Currently, the District is discussing with several property owners the possibility of creating additional open stream components within the District.