DuPage County Stormwater Management News & Updates

DuPage County, Illinois sent this bulletin at 04/27/2017 02:15 PM CDT

April 2017                                                                                                                              View this email in your browser
DuPage County Currents

SWM, SCARCE Host 11th Annual Sustainable Design Challenge

April 1
DuPage Stormwater Committee Chairman Jim Zay gets an inside look at a design from Wheaton Warrenville South.

Students from several DuPage County high schools displayed their green building projects to the public at the 11th annual Sustainable Design Challenge on Tuesday, held at DuPage County’s Administration Building in Wheaton. Sponsored by DuPage County Stormwater Management (SWM), SCARCE coordinates the event each year to encourage local schools to explore sustainable building and landscaping topics with students. Participating high schools included Wheaton Warrenville South, York Community (Elmhurst), Glenbard East (Lombard), Lake Park (Roselle) and Hinsdale South (Darien).

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Elmhurst College Earns Water Flag

April 2
(Left to right) County Board Members Amy Grant, Pete DiCianni and Jim Zay present the water quality flag to Elmhurst college representatives.

In partnership with SCARCE, SWM recently awarded a water quality flag to Elmhurst College. Institutions can earn the flag by engaging in a series of educational trainings, hands-on activities and green practices. Notably, Elmhurst College installed permeable pavers and engaged in faculty and student training on green stormwater management practices.

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SWM Sponsoring Annual River Sweep

This year marks the 26th annual DuPage River Sweep, which is a countywide self-coordinated stream cleanup and restoration event coordinated by The Conservation Foundation in partnership with SWM. Since its inception in 1991, more than 11,700 volunteers have participated with a record 860 last year alone. There is still time to get involved with this year's Sweep on May 20.

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Around Town

With spring showers, SWM staff recently operated four of its major flood control facilities, including the Elmhurst Quarry, Spring Creek Reservoir (Bloomingdale), Armstrong Park Reservoirs (Carol Stream) and Fawell Dam (Naperville). Of the 16 flood control facilities DuPage County operates, five larger facilities have mechanical equipment allowing staff to control them. The remaining facilities protect surrounding areas using fixed weirs and natural drainage systems. In total, the facilities have a capacity of nearly four billion gallons.

April 3
Armstrong Park Reservoirs

Upcoming Events

East Branch DuPage River Watershed Workshop

Thursday, May 11, 2017, 8:00 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.

DuPage County Stormwater Management and The Conservation Foundation are hosting a free breakfast workshop for organizations and individuals concerned with protecting the East Branch DuPage River Watershed. Speakers will discuss the St. Joseph Creek Water Quality-Based Watershed Plan, as well as local pond rehabilitation and maintenance programs. It will be held at the Westmont Centre (One South Cass Ave., Westmont).

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2017 Technical Assistance Symposium

Tuesday, May 16, 2017, 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

CMAP and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) will host a symposium to mark the release of the 2017 Call for Projects for the Local Technical Assistance (LTA) and Community Planning programs to enhance their communities’ livability, economic prosperity and quality of life. It will be held at Roosevelt University (430 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago). Registration is $30.

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DuPage County River Sweep

Saturday, May 20, 2017, 9:00 A.M. - Noon

Sponsored in part by Stormwater Management, the annual DuPage County River Sweep is a countywide stream cleanup held each spring. Individuals, businesses and other organizations may become involved in the 2017 DuPage River Sweep by serving as a Community Liaison, Group Coordinator or Individual Volunteer. Pre-registration is required to participate in the River Sweep.

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Wetland Delineation Course

Monday, July 24 - Thursday, July 27, 2017

This course will introduce students will be introduced to the basic concepts and methods of wetland delineation with both lectures and field exercises. Instructors will guide students through the delineation steps at several sites and offer opportunities for students to practice their skills in groups. Held in Lake County, the course costs $950, which includes all course materials and textbooks.

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