County pond causes Medinah problems

A comment on floodwater in unincorporated Medinah, a half-mile south of Irving Park Road on the west side of Medinah Road. DuPage County has created a detention pond on a dozen private properties here by using the road as a dam and an undersized culvert, as a drain which backs up water during heavy rains causing thousands of dollars in annual flood damage and a half foot of water on three public roads. This happens about three times a year.

I have met with various county officials, sent letters and emails, but cannot get an answer to the questions: Why should these public roads and private properties be underwater? Who wants it and why?

In 2005 changes were made which further restricted flow through the culvert to less than it had ever been and resulted still deeper and more frequent floodwater. Our state drainage code states that a highway authority has no right to obstruct the natural water flow and is legally liable for damages caused by failure to install adequate bridges or culverts to accommodate drainage across the right of way.

Obviously, the county should comply with the law and eliminate this water obstruction and to pay compensation to the adversely afflicted property owners.

Ralph Keller

Medinah