DuPage County stormwater facilities manage heavy rainfall during Fourth of July weekend
DuPage County Stormwater Management reported that its flood control facilities, including Armstrong Park and the Elmhurst Quarry, operated at full capacity during storms over the Fourth of July weekend. The storms, which began on July 2, brought rainfall ranging from 3.75 inches to more than 7.5 inches across the county.
According to the department, the Armstrong Park Reservoir in Carol Stream reached near capacity, prompting dewatering operations on July 7. The two-reservoir system at Armstrong Park collects excess water from Klein Creek, with water transferred between reservoirs and eventually pumped back into the creek once levels recede. The department estimates that more than 654 million gallons of water were diverted or detained during the event. Field crews and office staff mobilized to support the most affected areas, and the drainage division responded to reports of localized flooding, continuing to investigate these reports.
Filming also took place at the Elmhurst Quarry during the ongoing High Wall Stabilization Project. The project involves installing rock bolts and high-strength mesh along the quarry walls, with work expected to continue through Thanksgiving. Stormwater Committee Chair Jim Zay and Director Sarah Hunn visited the site during the filming to observe both the film crew's setup and the progress of the stabilization work.
The department announced that registration is open until August 1 for the Illinois Soil Classifiers Association's "Field Indicators of Hydric Soils" course, which is sponsored in part by DuPage Stormwater Management. The course will be held at the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission Headquarters and various field locations.
Throughout the summer, staff assist the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency with monitoring and sampling for harmful algal blooms in DuPage County. Algae blooms, caused by high nutrient levels from sources such as lawn fertilizer and pet waste, can produce toxins harmful to people, pets, and wildlife. Residents are encouraged to report algae or water quality concerns through the department's online Citizen Reporter App.
Several upcoming community events were also announced, including the Roselle Senior Expo on July 30, the Heroes & Helicopters Community Showcase on August 15, and the Bloomingdale Children's Safety Expo on August 29. These events will feature participation from local organizations and government services. State Senator Seth Lewis, who was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 2023 to represent the 24th Senate District, is among the sponsors of these events, according to MBO gather.