Supporters of an ambitious flood control project to protect more than 100 homes, businesses and streets in Park Ridge and Maine Township joined the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) and U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (5th Dist.) to visit the project site and gather momentum for the project.

The Flood Control Project on Farmers and Prairie Creeks can potentially reduce flooding for more than 100 structures and arterial roads, alleviate public health and safety concerns and improve quality of life through much needed flood storage and conveyance improvements along the creeks. Collaborators on the project, including MWRD Chairman of Finance Marcelino Garcia, Rep. Quigley, Park Ridge Mayor Marty Maloney, Maine Township Supervisor Karen Dimond and Maine Township Highway Commissioner Ed Beauvais recently toured the West Pond of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, where water flows east to west into Prairie Creek. The comprehensive project will alleviate flooding by improving conveyance and stabilizing the streambanks along the creeks, while also repairing and replacing existing culverts, upsizing and replacing existing storm sewers, enlarging the stormwater pond at the surrounding hospital and adding a pump station near the pond. 

“We appreciate neighbors’ support and interest in the Flood Control Project on Farmers and Prairie Creeks, and we look forward to breaking ground in the not-so-distant future,” said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. “We thank Congressman Quigley for his leadership, support and resolve to help us appropriate critical resources to mitigate flooding, address stormwater and sewer construction and stabilize our streambanks and waterways, and we thank local leadership in Park Ridge, Maine Township and Advocate Lutheran General Hospital for their continued collaboration.”

Farmers and Prairie Creeks in Park Ridge and Maine Township have potential for substantial overbank flooding due to inadequate capacity for stormwater runoff and encroachment into the flood plain by previous urban development. The wide-ranging project will address the flooding throughout the community at several locations.

"Visiting the Farmers-Prairie Creek Project in person helped me understand just how impactful repairs and abatement in this area will be,” said U.S. Rep. Quigley. “Making these improvements will protect nearby residents from possible flooding and protect access to a regional hospital. I've been proud to champion this project in Congress and I will keep fighting until it is signed into law and MWRD receives the funding to complete the project."

The project accounts for many of the MWRD’s Strategic Plan initiatives by meeting the MWRD’s vision of sustainability, resilience and flood mitigation, MWRD goals of engagement and collaboration, and its values of equity and excellence. 

“The Flood Control Project on Farmers and Prairie Creeks will be transformative for the region, addressing chronic flooding issues and mitigating the effects of climate change,” said Chairman Garcia. “This project amplifies our support for environmental justice initiatives by protecting communities deserving of our support, while also creating jobs.”

The majority of the census tracts in the project area score highly on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC's) Social Vulnerability Index and are considered disadvantaged in accordance with the U.S. Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool. Additionally, the project will protect access to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital (a Level-1 Trauma Center) during storm events. 

“It was great to see the area that will benefit from this upcoming Metropolitan Water Reclamation District project and to understand the timing of things. This will be an extremely impactful project for the residents, businesses, and the hospital in that area.  It will greatly enhance the quality of life and safety for many,” said Park Ridge Mayor Marty Maloney. “I am very grateful for the partnership that the city of Park Ridge has with the MWRD, not only for this project but for all of the projects on which we have worked collaboratively. Their commitment to help the city better handle storm water in all parts of town is very much appreciated.” 

A contract is expected to be awarded in late 2024 with construction anticipated to be complete by late 2026.

“Flood relief improvements like this one are what local area residents in Maine Township have prioritized as most important,” said Maine Township Highway Commissioner Ed Beauvais. “The planning and end results of this project will show the positive impacts that can happen when local, state and federal resources all come together to effectively solve problems." 

Area leaders toured the site of an MWRD project designed to reduce overbank flooding at Farmers and Prairie Creeks in Park Ridge and Maine Township.