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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

See this map for current levels at the MWRD’s three Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP) reservoirs. 

TARP is designed to reduce flooding, improve water quality in Chicago area waterways and protect Lake Michigan from pollution caused by sewer overflows. 

Street flooding and basement backups can still occur even when there is plenty of room in TARP. If small neighborhood sewers don’t have the capacity to carry water to the MWRD’s intercepting sewers or TARP tunnels, they may back up.  

If TARP is full, neighborhood sewers are designed to overflow to waterways.  

More information