Army releases study of Des Plaines River flooding

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released for public comment Tuesday a study calling for spending another $13 million on projects to limit flooding damage on the Des Plaines River, with half the money coming from the federal government.

The “Upper Des Plaines River and Tributaries, Illinois and Wisconsin Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment” outlines a variety of potential flood risk management and ecosystem restoration projects that could be implemented along the river between Racine, Wis., and southwest suburban Riverside.

The study was completed in partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (Office of Water Resources), Lake County Stormwater Management Commission, Cook County, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and Kenosha County.

The plans outlined in the draft report propose the construction of levees, reservoirs and other features to reduce flood damages. If approved, the projects will provide approximately $6.8 million in annual net economic benefits. The plans also would restore more than 10,900 acres of native marsh, meadow, prairie, savanna, woodland, and forest habitats in the watershed. Recreational trails are part of the plans. This study expands upon an earlier study by including including 15 Des Plaines River tributaries in Illinois and Wisconsin.

The report is available at http://1.usa.gov/1dtLpFg. Comments will be accepted until Oct. 2 at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, 231 S. LaSalle Street, Ste. 1500, Chicago, IL 60604, ATTN: Peter Bullock, or they can be e-mailed to UDPR&T@usace.army.mil. Public meetings will be held later this month with dates yet to be announced.