McCook Levee Report Available Online

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, recently released for public comment the McCook Levee Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment.

According to the Corps, the draft report provides a recommended plan to address flood risk in the Villages of McCook, Lyons, and Summit, Ill.

The study was completed in partnership with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD). The report, available online, will be open for comments until May 23, 2018.

“While two existing levees, locally named the McCook Levee and the West Lyons Levee, are providing some level of protection for these communities, flooding risk remains due to overtopping risk, risk of breach prior to overtopping as a result of seepage, and a lack of maintenance and repair of the existing structures,” USACE said. “Levee assessments conducted by the Corps have identified stability and seepage issues with both structures in their current conditions, and the associated risk of levee failure is considered to be high. The recommended plan will repair and improve the existing McCook Levee in two segmented sections and the West Lyons Levee along its approximately 1,400-foot alignment.”

The Corps will also host a public meeting from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 17, 2018, at the McCook Village Hall. The purpose of the meeting is to provide the public with information about the project, and seek input from members of the community and other stakeholders on the recommended plan.