"$5.8 million Thorn Ditch flood mitigation project completed in South Holland," Lansing Journal
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, the Village of South Holland, and Cook County held a ribbon-cutting at Maicach Park for a Thorn Ditch flood mitigation project. (Photo: Village of South Holland)
SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill. — The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), the Village of South Holland, and Cook County held a ribbon-cutting this past week at Maicach Park to celebrate the completion of the first phase of the Thorn Ditch Flood Mitigation Project. The effort was eight years in the making and will improve stormwater management and strengthen flood resilience along Thorn Ditch.
The $5.8 million project replaced existing culverts with larger ones and built new stormwater storage at Maicach Park and nearby Pioneer Park. Together, the improvements provide 11.8 acre-feet of storage, which is more than 3.8 million gallons, helping reduce the risk of flooding during heavy rain. The project also planted 50 native trees throughout the area to add natural stormwater protection.
“At the MWRD, we know that protecting communities from flooding requires strong partnerships. No single agency can solve these challenges alone,” said MWRD Vice President Theresa Flynn. “We’ve all seen how severe and unpredictable rainfall can be. Projects like Thorn Ditch are about preparing for those storms before they arrive and giving residents greater protection and peace of mind.”
The MWRD is a special purpose government agency responsible for wastewater treatment and stormwater management in Cook County, Illinois.
A flood mitigation project in South Holland will create 11.8 acre-feet of storage, which is more than 3.8 million gallons, to help reduce the risk of flooding during heavy rain. (Photo: Village of South Holland)