Weather Pattern Persists - Wet and Warm

Current NOAA enhanced radar for the "Central Great Lakes Sector":

The recent weather has disrupted all sorts of outdoor projects, including the construction of a deck at my other location.   Contractors scheduled for "Late May or Early June" have been pushed back. We went from a late, cool spring to instant summer and with it and all of the moisture being pumped into the atmosphere by the Gulf of Mexico it is warm and humid. Humidity is only 68% are present and will reach about 90% later in the day.

The myriad of drainage projects has yielded some benefits. But we do have adjacent Lakes and the Glen Ellyn situated marsh as well as the College's ponds which are wonderful mosquito breeding grounds.

While project delays are unwelcome, they aren't really a problem at this time. It is only May 30. We've issued most of the major project contracts for this year. Weather is creating coordination issues.

Flood Concerns
When one of these continuing wet weather patterns persist, one must be concerned about potential flooding (Note 1). Our association has been surrounded by water several times and for short periods (hours), but has been an oasis. Sources of standing water on Briarcliffe Blvd include the Briar Patch Park which drains to the east and south of 22nd Street. The park needs a large retention basin.

Wheaton's storm water study (updated 2016) for the approximate 1220 acres of watershed that drains "generally from North to South" indicated potential improvements. That study was named after the Briarcliffe Subdivision in Wheaton. One third of this watershed is in Glen Ellyn and two-thirds is in Wheaton. It begins with the 110 acre Williston Basin north of Roosevelt Road near Liberty Drive and east and west of President. The watershed drains via five ponds south of Roosevelt Road (ponds A, 1, 2, 3 and 4) as well as a network of storm sewers in Glen Ellyn, the College of DuPage Glen Ellyn campus and Wheaton.  Large portions of the College were described years ago as a "deciduous swamp" but aggressive reworking of wetlands, emergent wetlands and water basins as well as lots of asphalt has dramatically altered the south end of the campus.

These drain to Rice Lake south of Butterfield Road.

In 2013 the capacity of this watershed was exceeded and flooding occurred.

There has been an extensive study but no definitive work to alleviate this situation has been scheduled.

Note:

1. According to the City of Wheaton "The flooding that occurred [in 2013] is not an isolated incidence. Based on the City’s records and best available information, the berm has overtopped seven times in the last 45 years."
2. For more information about "Flood Prone Areas" in Wheaton, go to this website:  Click for Official City-of-Wheaton-Flood-Prone-Areas

April Showers and May Flowers

Well, it's been a bit wet and cool lately. Currently 100% humidity, raining lightly and 44F. But I see that the humidity is dropping and now is only 97%.

We've received about 1.8 inches of rain in the past 24 hours according to the National Weather Service. Some standing water, but no flooding nearby.  Currently, it is predicted that we'll get another 0.9 inches by  7am tomorrow morning.

The 10 day forecast indicates mild weather ahead:

So what are the consequences here at BLMH? We do have some standing water. Most notably at a few of the curbs. As for the "mosquito glade" which was repaired last year, we no longer have a large, muddy area and while there is some standing water on the walk, it is minor and I expect it will dry quickly once the rain stops. I donned my Marmot rain jacket, stood in the middle of that wet walk in my gym shoes and put up a couple of flags; I'll check the actual condition tomorrow. However, this is an old section of walk and we do get about 1/4 inch of water at a variety of sections.

Could we eliminate all standing water? Possibly, but at what cost, and to what purpose?

Rain, Rain Go Away - Ducks and Mosquito Glade, Revisited

The photos in the previous post show an area that was more water prone 5 years ago. One board replaced a portion of the walk, but one of the tasks I took upon my self was to have the area thinned. It was overgrown with trees, which had intertwined and created a small glade of perpetual dusk. Rainwater would stand, or the area would remain damp for days after heavy rainfalls. There was simply insufficient sunlight striking the ground to grow grass or dry the area out.

There is a plan to improve the drainage in this location, but there are so many tasks. With the removal of a large (dead) ash to the south last year, improving the drainage may be a real possibility. However, there are about 50 other areas which also require remedial work, after the removal of ash trees, or new roofs and drainage.

Here is the "before" video, taken in August 2010.

Here's another view of the area, this video from May, 2010:

West Nile Virus Update

Updated August 11 with City of Wheaton Press Release

Here is the current map of the mosquito traps in DuPage County. Apparently 89 have tested positive for West Nile Virus carrying mosquitoes.

Clicking will open a  New Window> West Nile Mosquito Traps

Clicking on the symbols over Lake Michigan on the map will reveal the meaning of the Green, Yellow and Red.

PRESS RELEASE - City of Wheaton

Thursday, August 09, 2012

West Nile Virus Activity Prompts Mosquito Spraying

WHEATON, Ill. – In response to the increased West Nile virus activity in DuPage and the surrounding counties, the Wheaton Mosquito Abatement District has scheduled a mosquito spraying for Monday evening, Aug. 13, 2012. West Nile virus is a potentially serious illness that can be transmitted by mosquitoes. The treatment will cover the entire district and is intended to reduce the numbers of mosquitoes that are known to transmit West Nile virus to people.   

There have been six reports of West Nile disease in residents living in Cook County. Additionally, the DuPage County Health Department’s testing of adult mosquitoes indicates a high incidence of West Nile virus infection in the adult mosquito population.   

The District is continuing to inspect and treat known mosquito breeding sites throughout the area to help limit the development of new mosquitoes. The district needs your continued help to prevent new mosquitoes by disposing of any standing water you find on your property. The culex mosquito that transmits West Nile virus easily breeds in small amounts of water that collect in containers around residential property.    

Don’t forget to “fight the bite.” If possible, avoid outdoor activity when mosquitoes are present and active. Dawn and dusk are the periods of the day when mosquitoes are most apt to bite. If you are out when mosquitoes are present, wear protective clothing such as light-colored, long-sleeved shirt and pants. You should use insect repellants to discourage mosquitoes from landing and biting. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides current information on mosquito repellants. 

Clarke Mosquito Control has been contracted to provide all district mosquito control services this year. Call their hotline at 800-942-2555 if you have questions or problems. 

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A Personal Perspective 
This year, I haven't received any calls from residents complaining about mosquitoes, venting their concerns about this possible problem in our association or threatening me and the association by stating the intention to call the city and the county and report the association for a lack of due diligence in this matter.

Before we celebrate, it has nothing to do with the number of reported incidences in the County, or what this association is doing. This year, I suspended the use of the cellphone "donation" I had made to the association. So I no longer receive those calls, or respond to calls on that cellphone.. Those complaint calls were a major reason for the disconnect. I think most people would agree with my decision, if they were in my shoes. It's usually easy to spend someone else's money, isn't it?

Notes:

1. I regret the disconnect. but  I am not on this planet to be a sounding board or a target for those with an axe to grind. If anyone has any complaints about this, I suggest they contact their friends or come to an association meeting and I'll be glad to give them an earful. I preferred to have that phone available because I was of the opinion it could improve communications. But I concluded it wasn't serving the population of this association. It instead was providing a channel for complaints. Yes, those who called me from time to time with legitimate issues were also cut off. I regret that. However, there are consequences for the actions of the few. I spent about $350 from my pocket to provide that service.