Eight years of planning and collaboration between the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), the Village of South Holland and Cook County culminated Sept. 15 as officials celebrated the completion of the first phase of the Thorn Ditch Flood Mitigation Project at Maicach Park, 921 E. 165th St. in South Holland.

MWRD officials joined representatives from South Holland and Cook County for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of the first phase of the $5.8 million project, which replaced existing culverts along Thorn Ditch and created stormwater storage at Maicach Park and Pioneer Park to help reduce flooding.

The mission provides 11.8 acre-feet of stormwater storage, equivalent to approximately 3.8 million gallons. The project was partially funded through the MWRD’s Stormwater Partnership Program, with additional support from Cook County through the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

“The completion of the first phase of the Thorn Ditch Flood Mitigation Project is a testament to the power of partnership,” said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. “Through our Stormwater Partnership Program, the MWRD can work alongside municipalities to identify flooding challenges, provide engineering expertise and help advance projects that protect homes and businesses. We are proud to have played a role in bringing this important flood mitigation project to completion and look forward to continuing our collaboration in the next phase.”

The Thorn Ditch Flood Mitigation Project was selected for MWRD assistance as a Conceptual Project through the Stormwater Partnership Program in 2018. In coordination with the Village of South Holland, the MWRD performed preliminary engineering to identify and analyze potential solutions to flooding along Thorn Ditch. The resulting plan called for upsizing existing culverts and creating stormwater storage at local parks to help protect homes and businesses near the ditch from flooding.

Under an intergovernmental agreement adopted Aug. 8, 2024, South Holland was responsible for the project’s design, construction, operation and maintenance, while MWRD reviewed the project design and performed inspections. The agreement also required South Holland to comply with ARPA funding requirements.

“Through ARPA’s once-in-a-generation funding opportunity, Cook County was able to work with MWRD and other partners to support 30 projects that help reduce the risk of flooding in communities,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “Impactful projects like these keep residents safe and make the County more resilient as we continue to face frequent severe storms.”

The second phase of the Thorn Ditch Flood Mitigation Project is estimated to cost $3.37 million and will replace the longest culvert along Thorn Ditch, between Dobson Avenue and Greenwood Avenue. Having invested in preliminary engineering, South Holland and the MWRD are planning to address the second phase through MWRD’s Stormwater Partnership Program. 

“Investments in stormwater infrastructure are investments in the safety and resilience of our communities,” said MWRD Vice President Patricia Theresa Flynn. “The new stormwater storage and upgraded culverts along Thorn Ditch will improve stormwater conveyance and provide additional storage during major rain events, helping reduce the risk of flooding for nearby homes and businesses. Projects like this show why planning ahead for more intense rainfall events is so important.”