Awards Category D: Environmental

LOCATION

DuPage County, Illinois

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Two complementary projects, the Westwood Creek Dam and Pump Station and the Louis Reservoir, represent a unique blend of intergovernmental cooperation and an innovative solution to a chronic flooding problem culminating in a one of a kind installation in Northeastern Illinois.  The Westwood Creek Dam and Pump Station prevents damaging flood elevations on Salt Creek reaching its tributary, Westwood Creek, through the automatic operation of 3 - 6 ft. x 8 ft. sluice gates.  When the gates are closed , flows on Westwood Creek are lifted over the Dam with 3 - 75,000 gpm (total of 500 cfs) Stormwater Pumps.  Downstream, Louis Reservoir provides compensatory flood storage for Westwood Creek and regional flood mitigation in a two-celled, 210 acre-feet installation.  No less than seven regulatory agencies had to be satisfied that their requirements were met before the project could be permitted and constructed.  The project was planned and specific design parameters were determined utilizing DuPage County's dynamic model of the watershed with continuous simulation of a 40-year period of record as the hydrologic input.  The projects protect over 60 residential structures and major roadways from Salt Creek floodwaters.