2013-10-Website-Newsletter

Come to our General Meeting Tuesday, Oct 29, and find out!

People frequently remark about our picturesque area and how surprisingly “hilly” it is.  And a number of private ponds within our territory provide hours of delight for children and adults alike, as well as the water-loving creatures we all enjoy in our semi-rural, unincorporated area.

Some of us have lived in the same house for many years, and even during heavy “100 year” rains have never had any flooding.  Our area has had very little concrete or blacktop added over the years.  So after this spring’s “100 year” rain, some people were surprised by the flooding that took place.  The following questions emerged:

What changed?

Did this “100 year” rain have more inches coming down faster?

Has a nearby pond gradually filled with silt?

Is there an old underground drain pipe that is now clogged?  (Our area used to be farm land!)

Did the flooding come from only one nearby property?

Or did it begin further away, flooding a nearby property, which in turn flooded another property?

Or did a river, creek or stream overflow?

Where is the highest point in our West-Win territory, and how high is it?

The lowest point?

Come to our fall General Meeting on Tuesday evening, October 29, and hear Gregory Phillips, PMP, from DuPage County Public Works, give an overview of our entire area, complete with topographical maps.  Gregory will be joined by Sarah Hunn, Senior Project Engineer in Stormwater Management.  They will also address funding that might be available for such things as:

Assessing problematic runoff from a nearby property,

Dredging ponds, and

Installing or repairing major conduits for future heavy rains.

The presentation may also address such questions as:

Am I free to fill in a “ditch” along the side of my property line?  I don’t *think* it will cause any flooding for anyone else…

Several years ago someone filled in a ditch, and ever since then I have had annoying flooding in heavy rains.  Are there services available to me as a taxpayer to have an assessment made?

For flooding near the river, would it help to install an additional (or larger) culvert to handle water runoff to the river?

The street in front of my house was closed off due to deep water, and my basement had major flooding.  Am I eligible for funding for cleanup and repairs?

Would a deeper ditch along some roads help avoid flooding in the future?  If so, does the County evaluate that and the Township install the ditch?

Does the County, or other governmental agency, have funds available for dredging a pond, repairing or enlarging drains, etc.?

What is the difference between a detention pond and a retention pond?

What things can residents do to prevent flooding?

If we experience run-off and ponding/pooling in a heavy rain, do I need to be careful walking through the water?  If so, what are the risks of walking through the water?

Bring your questions to the meeting on Tuesday evening, Oct. 29. If possible arrive 30 minutes early to study the topographical maps on display, See the cover for location and time.