The presentations featured updates on the MWRD’s McCook Reservoir, part of the MWRD’s Tunnel and Reservoir Plan, which increases flood protection to everyone in Lyons Township that is served by a combined sewer system.

In addition to its important navigation mission, the Chicago Harbor Lock also serves as a significant flood reduction measure for the city of Chicago.

Our findings show how hydrometeorological, land surface, and subsurface conditions jointly control network dynamics, offering a foundation for building urban watershed resilience.

The threat has been building for years. Over the past century in Chicago, the likelihood of heavy rainstorms has increased sevenfold. These storms can drop more than 8.5 inches of rain in 24 hours.

The National Weather Service said recent heavy rainfall has left the soil saturated and elevated stream and creek levels, increasing the risk more rainfall could trigger rapid runoff and flash flooding.

The project introduces a breakthrough in urban flood prediction, using GPU-accelerated computing to deliver near real-time forecasts at a city scale rather than across broader regions.