MWRDGC Completes Cherry Creek East Branch Flood Control Project

On Oct. 11, officials gathered for the ribbon cutting ceremony marking the completion of the Cherry Creek East Branch flood control project in Flossmoor, Ill. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC) flood control project will remove 16 homes from the floodplain and provide substantial flooding relief.

The $3.3 million project involved restricting the flow to a pond on the property of the Homewood-Flossmoor HIgh School and installing a new 48-in. diameter culvert. Additionally, the project created a 940-ft flood relief channel.

Flooding on the school’s property previously had been a hazard and disrupted classes, Supt. Von Mansfield told the Chicago Tribune. Flooding made it difficult for students to get to and from classes and even warranted the cancelation of classes on one occasion.

For the next three years, the MWRDGC will maintain the flood control project. After that, maintenance responsibilities will turn over to the district.