SKOKIE CONSOLIDATED DRAINAGE DISTRICT
For Property Owners
Reducing Stormwater Runoff Pollution
Property owners in the Skokie Consolidated Drainage District can take action to reduce stormwater runoff and pollution that are causing the Skokie River and Middle Fork of the North Branch Chicago River to periodically flood and have poor water quality.
Actions to reduce runoff and pollution include:
- Disconnect your rooftop runoff from the river by directing roof gutter flows to plant beds or lawn rather than to the driveway or the street.
- Create one or more raingardens in your landscape using deep-rooted native plants. Raingardens are ideal for infiltrating runoff and reducing stormwater flow to waterways.
- Clean up after your pet and dispose of waste in your trash. Do not put pet waste bags in storm sewers, roadside ditches etc.
- Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly.
- Sweep up yard waste rather than hosing it off sidewalks and driveways where it runs to street drains.
- Dispose of yard waste by composting at home or putting it in bags or cans for delivery to a composting facility. Do not pile or dump yard waste in low areas, ditches or on streambanks as this delivers excess phosphorus and other pollutants directly to water resources.
- Repair auto leaks.
- Properly dispose of household hazardous waste, used auto fluids and batteries at designated collection centers.
Learn more about how to reduce stormwater runoff and pollution
DOWNSPOUTS
How to Disconnect Downspouts
STORMWATER
Solution to Stormwater Pollution
LAWN FERTILIZING
NE Turf Fertilizer Recommendations
RAIN GARDENS
How to Manual for Rain Gardens
RAIN GARDENS
Design for Rain Garden
STORMWATER
Stormwater Landscape Swales
STORMWATER
Stormwater Pollution Door Hanger
WINTER SALT
Tips for Managing Snow and Ice
More about water quality in the Skokie and Middle Fork North Branch Chicago Rivers*
Water quality refers to a waterbody’s ability to support a variety of aquatic life and recreational uses such as swimming, fishing, boating, and drinking. Water quality assessments also incorporate the aesthetic value of the water body. The Skokie River and Middle Fork of the North Branch Chicago River are designated as having impaired water quality as they do not fully support aquatic life, fish consumption, primary contact and indigenous aquatic life use.
Water pollution reduces the health of aquatic ecosystems and may be harmful to human (public) health. Pollutants from point and non-point sources impact water quality.
- Point sources are pollutants discharged from specific industries or land uses.
- Non-point sources are pollutants picked up by stormwater runoff from many sources. During storms, pollutants on the landscape are washed from the ground and impervious surfaces into storm sewers, roadside drainage ditches, and natural drainageways and ultimately into the watershed’s receiving streams and lakes.
Stream Gauges in the SCDD Drainage Area
If you are interested in knowing how water levels are rising and falling in the Skokie River and Middle Fork of the North Branch Chicago River channels, the US Geological Survey (USGS) operates and maintains three stream gauges in Lake Forest, Highland Park and Deerfield that monitor and record flows in the Skokie Consolidated Drainage District drainage area.
USGS Stream Gauge Locations
More Flow Data Information
To access more information on the flow data recorded and analyzed by the USGS for these gauges, URLs are included below:
Who to Call?
Questions about fallen trees/obstructions in the channel:
- SCDD Project Coordinator Patricia Werner 847-903-2052
Questions about drainage district property assessments:
- SCDD Attorney Bryan Winter 847-244-0770
