The Village of Tower Lakes is located in Southwestern Lake County, Northeastern Illinois. True to its name, the small community is perched on the banks of two primary lakes. The area is also home to Davlins Pond as well as several small streams that run between the lakes, a local dam, and eventually lead to the nearby Fox River. Because of its topography, all overland flow of water led directly to the lakes. As a result, Tower Lakes was subject to frequent flooding, pollution, and runoff. Local conservation organizations and community members looking to solve the community’s water issues and improve the local watershed embraced a green infrastructure approach for current and future planning.
One aspect of the overall watershed improvement plan was the creation of a raingarden to alleviate nuisance flood issues. PRIME AE worked side-by-side with watershed stakeholders, community leaders, EPA representatives, local regulators, and volunteer stewards to fund, design, and implement the raingarden in a way that would not only address the flooding but also positively impact the local environment. The expansive project spanned two years and created a bioswale with native vegetation to capture, retain, and filter rainwater.
The immediate impact of PRIME AE’s plan for the raingarden eliminated flooding at an adjacent tennis court. More significantly, our team’s careful planning, design, and coordination with stakeholders contributed a key element to renewing the natural environment and improving the greater watershed for The Village of Tower Lakes.
