The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) is managing stormwater from a downpour that fell in a matter of a couple of hours on Monday afternoon. Despite a forecast of approximately one-half inch of rain, there was more than two inches of rain falling over two hours in pockets of Cook County. According to the National Weather Service, Monday’s first round of storms had rainfall amounts ranging from 1.3 inches near O’Hare International Airport to almost three inches at Midway International Airport, and nearly three inches in central Cook County. 

TARP’s two major reservoirs are filling and the current status is:

• McCook Reservoir is approximately 56 percent full, storing nearly 2 billion gallons. McCook Reservoir serves central Chicago and 36 municipalities covering 252 square miles on the Des Plaines and Mainstream Tunnel Systems. 
• Thornton Reservoir is approximately 34 percent full, storing nearly 2.7 billion gallons  Thornton Reservoir serves 91 square miles on the Calumet Tunnel System, covering the South Side of Chicago and 13 south suburban municipalities.

Before any major storm, the MWRD lowers the levels of the Chicago Area Waterway System by diverting more water at its Lockport Powerhouse to provide added capacity in local waterways. The MWRD urges area residents to conserve water during storms to provide more capacity in sewers and local infrastructure to take on the influx of rain. Residents are urged to sign up for Overflow Action alerts via text.

Applications are now open for municipalities and local government entities to partner with the MWRD on four stormwater management programs designed to mitigate community flooding throughout Cook County. More information can be found at mwrd.org/stormwater/partnerships.

Visit these links for more information about the MWRD, Stormwater Management, TARP and how to help reduce flooding and protect water quality.