COD of Glen Ellyn is included in the Dam Study

Here's a brief update.
In May the Illinois Department of Natural Resources ("IDNR") issued a letter to our HOA advising us that a permit was required for "Lake 4" which the IDNR had classified as a dam. This was apparently a consequence of the flooding which occurred in this area on April 18, 2013.

In reality, the situation with this 6 acre lake is complicated by an easement to the City of Wheaton to "operate and maintain" a storm water control system which includes not only this lake, but those upstream which feed it. Immediately to the east of "lake 4" is the Hoddinot Wildlife Refuge, which is in Glen Ellyn and operated and maintained by the College of DuPage. This includes COD's "Pond 7" which is separated from lake 4 by a shallow weir.

It took a few months to sort this out and on October 14 the IDNR issued a new "directive" to our association and to the College of DuPage. That directive was copied to The Village of Glen Ellyn, the City of Wheaton, and to the County of DuPage. So, finally, we are all operating on the same page!

The study funded by the City of Wheaton is progressing, and recently the engineering firm they commissioned has been conducting surveys of the immediate area.

For more information on the study see the following post:;New Window> City of Wheaton - Briarcliffe Study

City of Wheaton "Briarcliffe Engineering Study - Drainage Basin" 2013

This post will serve to catch up on some of the ongoing events. I attended the "Planning" meeting of the Wheaton City Council on September 9, and I also attended the "Regular" meeting of the City Council on September 16, 2013.

The topic of interest was the "Engineering Study - Lake 4 and Adjacent Drainage Basin." That study has two components. One is the the study proper, and the other is a dam permit. Yes, you did read that correctly. There is a requirement by the "Illinois Department of Natural Resources" (IDNR-OWV) for a dam permit for all of Wheaton's lake 4. That lake is hydraulically connected to the "Community" College of DuPage's pond 7.

Expenditure of Wheaton city funds to move forward was approved on September 16 by the City Council. I personally wish to thank the city council for moving forward on this. It is, of course, a first step in the process to investigate and improve the storm water situation in south Wheaton and Glen Ellyn.

Here is the official statement of the "Sept. 16, 2013 City Council Meeting Highlights" published by the City of Wheaton:

"Briarcliffe Lakes Flood Study Authorized
The Council voted unanimously in favor of creating a professional services agreement for a Briarcliffe Lakes Flood Study. The Council received a proposal for a stormwater management study of the Briarcliffe Lakes drainage system following flooding that occurred in this area in April, during which flood waters overtopped the berm of one of the lakes and caused nearby properties to flood. The Council authorized an agreement of $187,400 with Christopher Burke Engineering Ltd. to conduct the study."

Briarcliffe Lakes Manor Homes and Wheaton
Why is my HOA involved here? The City of Wheaton has an easement to maintain a storm water control system across lake #4. Wheaton's storm water system is extensive and includes two watersheds. The so called "Briarcliffe Lakes Watershed" includes five (5) lakes of which lake 4 is the final one in the chain. These are lakes "A," 1, 2, 3, and 4. Four of these lakes are to the north of our association and lake 4 is to the south.

This watershed also includes portions of Glen Ellyn and the "Community" College of DuPage campus west of Lambert Road.

As a resident of BLMH I can honestly say that I have found the situation to be disquieting. Here's my personal view. The HOA "owns" property which has been eased to the City of Wheaton for nearly 40 years. This arrangement was apparently made by the developer and the city. The City of Wheaton has used that easement for a 6+ acre lake modified by and controlled by the city as part of a "storm water" system which also receives water from Glen Ellyn/COD.

The key question I have asked is this: "Who owns the water?" Because it comes from sources outside the HOA, it's a real problem when an association has homes which occupy about 2% of the land area of the "Briarcliffe Watershed" and is required to provide "free" use to the City and to the College of about 6.15 acres for lake 4 to handle their storm water. Lake 3 to the north is also part of the storm water system and is eased to the city.

Here's another way to look at this. What would 6+ acres of prime real estate be worth in this area in south Wheaton? This HOA finds itself making an annual donation of not only the property, but also of unit owner's fees for area maintenance around the lake.  That lake is a critical part of someone else's "storm water" system.  Yet, when things go wrong, some of the neighbors have pointed fingers at this association. Our neighbor, the  "community" college takes the position "We aren't part of the problem and storm water is mainly the consequence of 'bypass flows'."

Should the City of Wheaton Bear the Sole Burden of This Study?
That's a very good question!

About 20% of the "Briarcliffe Watershed" is in Glen Ellyn and COD's campus west of Lambert. Areas to the south of COD and to the east of "Brentwood Lane E." are within the drainage basin and are also within the Village of Glen Ellyn's Planning Jurisdiction (Note 2).

In 2012 the College extricated itself from the involvement of the village and came under county jurisdiction. It would seem the watershed includes the property of five entities. Wheaton, COD and the county, Glen Ellyn, and our HOA.

On a land basis approximately 80% of the area of the watershed is in Wheaton which includes our HOA. COD and Glen Ellyn are the rest.

An Equitable Approach to Funding of The Study 
How about this approach. The entities which contribute the water to this "lake" which situated in Wheaton should each step up and pay their fair share. Wheaton pays 80% and COD or Glen Ellyn pays 20%.

Of course, for this to happen then someone to the east would have to stop playing games. To date, the college has pushed responsibility and its water on to someone else.

Here's my opinion about the intransigence of the college. It's all about money. Greed, it has been said, is a fear of not having enough money. If that is true, then the college is simply being greedy. It has its building program and with it additional maintenance costs. There possibly isn't enough money to support this campus "transformation" to use a term recently used by the college.

Of course, the problem will be getting COD to the table as a partner. For the neighboring communities that would be a real transformation and a breakthrough!

I have my opinion about "transformation" and bricks and mortar do not a transformation make. I doubt the students really care about those acres of grass and waterfalls, which will be frozen in winter. The students are here to get a quality education with some of the costs born by the taxpayer. It is supposed to be a "community" college, which implies a lower cost alternative to the many fine colleges in the area. COD is a publicly funded college. It is not a private institution and the hundreds of millions of dollars of debt will be born by the taxpayers in this area

Moving Forward
Certainly, the current situation is a problem for everyone. Wheaton's City Manager made this statement under questioning by Wheaton Council members during the September 16th meeting:

"With the college, part of the dam of the southern edge of the lake and water system is on college property and they need to brought in as part of the analysis of what's going on and I don't know if it's going to end up, is it to be a part of their own permit or our [the city's] permit...there's a lot of things to be yet determined there." "With the homeowners association you may probably remember we [the city of Wheaton] have an easement to maintain a storm water control system across that lake [lake #4]... the language is similar to what I just said, it is a bit vague as to exactly what the responsibilities of the parties are; it's old language from many years ago. In all likelihood I think we will be the ultimately be the party that will be responsible for getting the dam permit because of that easement. Maintenance is storm water but we need to do some additional review of that before that determination is finalized."

Yes, I do think the previous agreement with the City of Wheaton needs to be reviewed. However, at present, moving forward with the study is the most important issue. The issue at present is "the greater good." The City of Wheaton clearly understands this.

Neighbor Concerns
I've received emails from nearby residents with concerns about "weeds" on the banks of lake 4, asking for my opinion about a lack of speed in solving storm water problems in the area, expressing the opinion that it's time to take this to a "higher level" with possible legal involvement and so on. I maintain that getting attorneys involved is not a good use of scarce resources. I also am of the opinion that what is needed most is a willingness to see this to a reasonable conclusion. The 1997 study was acted partially upon. Not all recommendations were followed by the city or by nearby residents. I think this is a time for everyone to remain engaged in this process. The study is the first step of a larger process that will require many months. It's important to realize that only after the study is completed, will the real work begin. I suspect if neighborhood interest had been maintained 16 years ago, perhaps we wouldn't find ourselves in the current situation.

The quality of the study if the "Community" College of DuPage continues to stonewall efforts is a valid concern. If 20% of the watershed is ignored or not included, then it's reasonable to state that the storm water solutions will be compromised.  After all, changes on the campus can direct more or less water to the south and to the west.

Regarding the April flood situation in south Wheaton and Glen Ellyn I generally have not responded to individual emails with opinions or guidance. In the past, some of my emails have been misquoted, quoted out of context or censured rather than being passed to the neighbors as I requested. I prefer to put information here where it is available to all.   I can adapt and there are other avenues to get the job done.

A few of our neighbors weren't aware of the situation at all. They were unaware of the easement, of the recent construction at the college, and even of the existence of lake #4! April 18 was the most recent wake-up call.

Storm Water Maintenance Issues 
Reoccurring storm water problems at the northeast corner of Briar Patch Park flood the street. Drainage problems on Briarcliffe due to a low point across from the Brian Glen School also floods the street. It seems additional detention from the fields of the park and school might be helpful. There currently is none.

Our HOA  has 336 residences containing a thousand or so occupants. We have graciously provided the use of 6 acres of prime real estate to the City of Wheaton for its use as part of their "storm water control system" lake 4. This HOA has spent  association money for nearly 40 years dealing with the consequences of 2% or 1% flood events around two of the lakes, and that includes dealing with the shoreline damage and stimulated growth and erosion on the banks. We've spent a lot of money pruning trees and removing those which have fallen or were diseased around those lakes.

If you want to know what Wheaton's lake 4 would look like without the money and labor contributed by this association, simply go to COD's pond 7 and walk entirely around it. The shallow berm separating COD's pond 7 from lake 4 straddles the college and lake 4 property line. The college contributes zero maintenance; that's why it looks the way it does. That berm will give you some indication of what lake 4 would look like if other, less responsible entities owned the property and were involved here.

This immediate area has about 4,512 residents per square mile. The area of Wheaton's commissioned study  is about 1.5 square miles and so it has perhaps 6,800 residents. Some are upstream of lakes 3 and 4, some downstream, some live immediately adjacent to the banks of the lakes in the study, some are north of the college, and some in BLMH.  In other words, there are a lot of people affected by flooding in this area. Our HOA has "walked the talk" for nearly 40 years. Not so for everyone in the vicinity!

How BLMH has Dealt With These Problems
We've been "front row and center" to past water events in the area for decades. We've observed the college remove grassy retention areas, pave over part of the watershed, turn the Hoddinott Wildlife area from a park like environment to an overgrown marsh for the storm water of the college.

We do monitor COD's pond 7, it's new constructions and pond 9 to the east, the conditions on lake 3 to the north and lake 4 to the south. We have maintained a dialogue with the City of Wheaton. We have been largely unsuccessful with the college. We are reasonably certain that the landscaping, etc. around the new pond 9 was accomplished because of intervention outside the college. Simply stated, I don't trust the college.

Because of recent COD construction and the history of flooding in this area, there was grave concern about the reduced capacity to retain water on the college campus west of Lambert Road. However, the college has remained aloof about this. The intervention of the county did apparently increase the size of pond 9, but we are of the opinion it is undersized and assumed that the downstream system was fully capable of handling any water sent to it. As that downstream system goes into Wheaton it's readily apparent why the aloofness.

When the storm of April 18 occurred, we knew it could get serious. This time, thanks to improved technology and my willingness to document the situation, there was an opportunity to reveal the reality.

On April 18 this association was surrounded for a short time by water on four sides. Some residents were distraught, but we did not incur flooding. That is because this association has spent a lot of time and money preparing for storms. We routinely spray, feed and trim hundreds of trees and so they are as healthy as practical. One of our larger problems is old willows on the property which are being removed, a few each year, because of our arborist's concerns. When there was major damage in Wheaton and Glen Ellyn because of recent "micro-burst" storms we experienced very little of it. One tree split, but no buildings were damaged and there were few branches lying on the lawns, drives and streets.

If you walked our extensive grounds you would see acres of rolling berms. Unfortunately, some of these direct water toward entrances, or garages, or against foundations. Older gutters discharged onto driveways. The liberal use of mulch which rolls downhill and becomes additional soil actually raised the low points on the perimeter of some buildings. That's why we've had to work on landscaping modifications around the buildings to move water away from buildings and toward the large, lower grassy areas, or toward storm sewers, where it should be. We've redirected the water from new gutters, are in the process of adding stone around the buildings in place of mulch and soil, and are also moving gutter discharges off of driveways and into areas where it can flow properly away from the buildings.

Not all of these improvements have been welcomed by all of our owners. First, these things may alter the appearance slightly, but there is no overwhelming appearance change. In other words, there is limited cosmetic value for the money being spent. The buildings appear to be much the same as they were a decade ago, but with better roofs, new driveways, stone around buildings and narrow walks to the entrance. All of this is intended to keep our residents dry. To do this we've had to alter some of the landscaping and remove some shrubs and trees which are against entrances. One owner quipped "How is it that you removed a perfectly good tree from the entrance of MY building?" My reply was, these decisions are made in consultation with our arborist, management, our maintenance and the board. Each building is surveyed and decisions made one building at a time. There is no cookie cutter approach here. Of course, how this particular owner could say "a perfectly good tree" implies he or she is a qualified and competent decision maker in these things.

The association has been here for about 39 years and is preparing  for the next 30 years and how to deal with storm water issues surrounding the property, including the College to the east and Wheaton's "storm water control" lakes 3 and 4.

I don't think it was an accident that this association was unscathed on April 18. I also do think there is strength in numbers. Our 336 owners sometimes bend to populist stuff, but the board has been able to successfully prioritize issues and spend money effectively, dealing with real issues which will benefit all. At the current pace our roofing and related drainage project will be completed within 4 years. Now, you might have the opinion that 4 years is a long time. On the other hand, we've got 42 large roofs  and several smaller in the association; we're currently replacing six (6) roofs each year.

We pave our own streets, pay for our street lighting and snow removal. Yet, we pay real estate taxes at a rate equal to everyone else in Wheaton and we also provide about 9 acres for lakes 3 and 4, for use as part of a "city managed" storm water control system

Some of our owners are irritated. I guess they are of the opinion that they get no respect from the community yet pay more than their "fair share."

Who Can Use Lake 4?
Use of the lake in any way is prohibited and this includes fishing. The lake really is private property! It really is part of a "storm water system" by the City of Wheaton. It's not a park. There are lakes in the area which are part of the various park districts of the communities and the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. These are available for recreational purposes, but an adult would need a fishing license. There is no excuse to use these "storm water system" lakes for any purpose by any residents of Wheaton  or Glen Ellyn.

Residents of our HOA are fined if they do anything to break the rules and don't correct the situation or modify their behavior. Our rules and regulations specifically prohibit any activities on or around the lake. However, some of the neighbors prefer to ignore the signage and the HOA can't fine them. We can of course call the Wheaton Police Department if there is trespassing. So are we supposed to hire a security company to police Wheaton's flood control system? Why on earth should a HOA be responsible for this? Why should our HOA owners be required to donate their fees to provide policing of Wheaton's flood control system? Well, I guess the reason is simple; it's because some of us are expected to walk the talk, while others don't, or take advantage of their neighbors.


Notes:
1. This post contains my perspective. Not everyone agrees about who is responsible for what. The City of Wheaton has been very involved in the current process. I would add that they have been genuinely concerned about the situation and are acting in a manner consistent with that concern.  To my knowledge, the "Community" College of DuPage has worked diligently to avoid any responsibility and involvement.

2.  Here's a link to a pdf map of Glen Ellyn. A substantial portion of the property to the south of the "Community" College of DuPage is actually under the jurisdiction of the Village of Glen Ellyn. Yet, the residents come to Wheaton meetings. That says a lot about the College and the Village, who prefer to remain detached about flooding in the area:

Clicking will open a  New Window> Glen Ellyn Zoning Map

3. According to the official website of the Village of Glen Ellyn, it is "Known as the Village of Volunteers." But in the case of this flooding problem, the Village has been invisible. Here's the official "About Glen Ellyn" link:

Clicking will open a  New Window> About Glen Ellyn

BLMH - Annual Meeting 2013

Last week our association held the annual meeting. Those owners who attended were given concise and candid "state of the association" presentations by our president, treasurer, welcoming director, landscaping director, rules & regulations director and architecture & maintenance director. Management of course did a presentation. After the presentations unit owners were given the opportunity of a "question and answers" exchange with the board and management.

The meeting required less than two hours. We moved quickly through the business at hand and owners were attentive and courteous. The presentations and discussions were candid, honest and forthright.

My report as A&M and vice-president was exactly what I promised via our September newsletter. It took about 20 minutes and topics included:

• Expanded use of maintenance cycles and programmed maintenance. Why?
• What are the priorities? (and how are they determined?)
• Water main failures, a pre-emptive approach to dealing with this.
• IDNR-OWR (Illinois Department of Natural Resources) has declared Lake 4 to be a dam. “Briarcliffe Lake Dam is a Class I (high) hazard potential structure and requires a dam safety permit.” What does this mean for the association?
• Flood of April 2013 and aftermath including Wheaton's "Briarcliffe Watershed" Study.
• Lakecliffe Blvd paving failure; why, how, and financial consequences. Repaving and repair decisions.
• Status of Fireplaces and my position.
• Status of Roofing Project including drainage improvements.
• Status of Driveway Repaving Project.
• Status of Garage Floor Replacement Project. 
• Status of Financial Reserves for projects. (Very long term planning - some projects have scheduled completion dates of 2032!).
• Delinquencies, foreclosures and the negative impact on association finances.
• Status of Thames waterfall decking and paths project. 
• Status of Plymouth waterfall and pond. 
• Miscellaneous (limestone sills, sidewalk scraping, storage on the property, etc.). 
• Rules, Regulations and Maintenance (discussed by R&R director). 
• The future of the Newsletter.

The president made the statement that I had put in, by his calculations and review of my emails, etc. about 650 hours doing association business in the past year. I appreciated the acknowledgement from the entire group. I've made it no secret that this has been a very difficult year. I have found myself with competing, mutually exclusive time commitments. In fact, I've put in more time than estimated and I do have a business to run, clients with specific needs (I was in a production facility yesterday) and of course there is this blog and the research, etc. that it takes to produce it. In such a situation setting priorities becomes "difficult to impossible."

I have concluded I could work 24/7 if I chose, but I have no intention of doing so.

I also had to make a difficult decision this year to forego another volunteer position, in which I probably could have made a larger difference.

However, my current volunteer commitment at BLMH will end in September 2014. I have made no decision and no promises for the future.

COD - Pond 9 and Pond 7 - Storm Sewer Connection Hoddinott Wildlife Area

This post will include a video taken on April 26, 2013 shortly after the recent flooding and overtopping of COD's Pond #7 and Wheaton's Lake #4.

There is an underground storm sewer connection from Pond #9 into the Hoddinott Wildlife Area and water of Pond #9 flows into the marsh and Pond #7 via that connection. This was installed by the college in 2012, and the video shows some of the details of that storm sewer.

When overtopping of Pond #9 occurs that water flows above ground and downhill into Pond #7. When this overtopping occurs there is water flowing into Pond #7 from two discharge points on COD's retention pond #9. These discharge points are shown in the video.

Pond #7 is separated from Lake #4 by a berm which includes a weir. There is normally water flow from Pond #7 to Lake #4. However, during rain the level of Pond 7 rises and Lake #7 and the pond become one large body of water.

The area of the video is in the lower left hand corner of this site plan. Pond #9, the CMC building and parking occupy former low lying soccer practice fields which did retain water in the past. The area on this site plan which is tagged "Wetland 2" is the Hoddinott sanctuary and Pond #7.

Here's a photo of the same area in September 2008 after the severe storms. It shows the standing water and the same area now occupied by parking, the CMC building, Pond #9 and the berms on the west side of that pond:

Here's a photo of the area to the south of Pond #9 during construction and prior to the CMC building. The view is facing toward the east. This shows the area that I walked into the Hoddinott Wildlife Area in the video. It also shows the new storm sewer connection constructed by the college and ending in the marsh. In the video link included in this post I walk the route of the storm sewer installed in 2011-12 and shown in the photo below. (It runs from north to south, which in this photo is from left to right, and discharges  at the tip of pond 7 in the photo of the marsh).

The area above and in the video is a "freshwater emergent wetland" according to the "National Wetlands Inventory." Additional information on wetlands, the codes shown on the diagram and the Illinois Wetlands Act of 1989 can be found in my post of May 10, 2013. Here's the wetland diagram for the western portion of the COD campus and BLMH:

And finally, here is the video. Pond #9 and the CMC building are incomplete and are under construction:

Notes:

1. This is another in a series on the flooding of April 18 and the contributing factors. 

2. Clicking on the photos will enlarge them. 

COD, Hoddinott, Marshes and Prairies

An aerial photo of the college campus as it is purported to have existed in 1974; this is the year that construction of BLMH began and was substantially complete in 1976. In the photo Fawell (22nd) is the curving road in the foreground. Lambert road is in the distance and beneath the "1974." You can see the green space and bodies of standing water that existed on the campus.

According to the COD website, the community college today  “maintains three natural areas on the Glen Ellyn campus: the Russell R. Kirt Prairie, the Ecological Study Area, and the B.J. Hoddinott Wildlife Sanctuary. These areas are open to the public for nonconsumptive recreational use. Removal of plants and seeds from these areas is prohibited.”

The B. J. Hoddinott Wildlife Sanctuary includes "Pond #7" which recently overtopped and flooded areas to the south.

This post will provide information on the Hoddinott Wildlife Sanctuary with additional information on the natural areas of the campus in 1974 and to the present.  In that time the college has had extensive building projects throughout the campus. According to Russell Kirt it has also worked on restoring or reconstructing about 30 acres of prairies in the period 1974 to 2003. The largest single tract was about 12-13 acres and in a 2012 video Kirt described it as a "deciduous swamp" filled with farm debris. (Note 5).

How did the B. J. Hoddinott Wildlife Sanctuary come to be?
Bertram (Bert) J. Hoddinott was a Briarcliffe resident who was both a conservationist and a hunter. He was “an avid fan of the marsh behind Building M” and in 1983 the marsh was “an outdoor classroom for College of DuPage students and a home for families of ducks and geese.” As for the ducks he said “I love them.” Hoddinott told the story that he had two geese friends, which he named George and Harry. They would come to him when he called from across the lake. Here's a photo of the manicured remains of that marsh behind Bulding M, as it exists today:

Hoddinott was concerned about the marsh in the southwest corner of the campus and which needed considerable work. He was aware that the college operates with limited funds and so he met with H.D. McAninch, the college president and “offered to fund the development of the marsh for the encouragement and preservation of wildlife.”

Hoddinott had big plans for that marsh, and initially provided $16,000 for the purpose of improving and fortifying the marsh; a multi-year project that began in the summer of 1983. Hoddinott simply said that he “was glad that somebody gave me the opportunity to put back some of what I’ve taken over the years."  Hoddinott continued to fund the project and the day after his 84th birthday Hoddinott “appeared in McAninch’s office and placed the $266 he had collected for the marsh [from friends and relatives] on McAninch’s desk.”

“Hoddinott has not only given College of DuPage the funds for perpetual care of the marsh, but he has also established an endowment scholarship for a student interested in wildlife ecology.” The college honored Hoddinott with a framed photograph of the “B.J. Hoddinott marsh” and a birthday cake in a ceremony for his 84th birthday.

In a 1983 article in the college newsletter, Hoddinott was quoted: “I just hope the Lord keeps me around to see this finished…At least partially finished.” Mr. Hoddinott died on June 27, 1986 at the age of 84.

What was the original plan for Hoddinott Wildlife Sanctuary?
A goal of the project was to push the marsh eastward during the rainy season “eventually surrounding the radio tower.” It was anticipated to add small islands in the marsh so water fowl could lay their eggs. Hoddinott hoped to eventually see trees planted for song birds and “we’ll plant sunflowers back there to give them something to eat.” The plans included a concrete berm to keep the level of the marsh constant. I assume that berm included the weir that connects the marsh “Pond #7” to Lake #4.

“These areas do not exist merely by chance.”
Marshes have had a rocky co-existence with the Village of Glen Ellyn and COD. There has been a tension between individuals, the college and the Village. In a 1983 COD article it was stated that the marsh on Lambert Road was disrupted as "city crews widened [Lambert Road] right up against the marsh, tearing out small willows, cattails and cottonwoods and installing a cement sidewalk." Glen Ellyn's efforts "were completely out of hands....but we knew this (damage) would happen" according to Alpha Instructor Hal Cohen.

In the mid 1970's the college administration gave instructor Russ Kirt the "go-ahead" for a prairie restoration project. The 1.4 acre tract on Fawell-22nd street was painstakingly seeded and transplanted. "More than 70 species of plants that reigned over the prairies 150 years ago can be found in Kirt's prairie, including many that are difficult to propagate in larger prairie restorations." said a 1983 article. Kirt explained "I'm interested in species preservation...And, before prairie restoration became popular, it was a way of doing something popular and not complaining. And, it's great for students to learn about prairies. They really get into it. They love it."

Somewhat presciently, in 1983 COD biology instructor Bob Satterfield said "Square ponds, straight roads and things that are rigid are boring and frustrating.... They don't elicit the response we expect from students. Our aesthetic environment is enhanced by natural areas." However, in that same year the college hired a landscaping architect "to help plan the campus grounds."

30 years later, it could be argued that the manicurists are winning. The college today has sculpted waterfalls, tailored ponds, fountains, a "fine dining" restaurant and hotel with "luxury accommodations." The hotel and restaurant are adjacent to an "Ecological Study Area" according to the published "Facilities Master Plan" of 2004.

A Historical Perspective
There have been marshes in the area for 150 years, but the marsh which was once bisected by Lambert Road was created in 1965 or so. "That marsh would not have existed at all had not construction crews dug out truckloads of earth to form a berm for Building A. The resulting depression filled with water, acquired marsh loving plants and animals, and, later, a growing fan club."

In the November 1980 issue of the college newsletter an article entitled “Will the Marsh Get Bogged Down” described changes to the area which today includes the Russell R. Kirt Prairie. To provide some idea of the sentiment at the time, the article began with “College of DuPage’s marsh has been called by some an eyesore of a bog.” Yet, there was concern that widening Lambert Road would destroy the natural beauty as it cut through a portion of the marsh. However, at the time Don Carlson, director of Campus Services stated that provisions had been made to “move” the marsh from it’s original spot to an area farther east. This would coincide with construction of the new Student Resources Building.

The plan in 1980 was to “scrape away an area adjacent to the easternmost bank of the marsh, and the water will then be allowed to swell into that area. At the same time, the westernmost edge will be filled in to allow for the widening of Lambert.” The attitude of the college in 1980 was expressed by Alpha instructor Harold Cohen. “We've created an environment for a lot of plants and animals in God’s image so we have to preserve it.” The article went on to say “While marshes are disappearing all over Illinois, the college’s marsh is growing and changing”. “I’ve recorded as many as 63 species of birds alone,” Cohen was quoted.

However, by 1983 a college article stated “Some people look at a marsh and think only of mosquitoes breeding there. Others think of prairies as weed patches. But to College of DuPage instructors and their students, the on-campus marshes and prairie are very special outdoor classrooms for biology, botany, art and photography.” The article went on to state that “These areas, rare for a community college, do not exist merely by chance. They are the result of ongoing vigilance of a troupe of faculty and staff members who spent hours preparing proposals, working in the field and meeting with campus architects, Campus Services Director Don Calson and President H. D. McAninch to safeguard and develop the natural areas. They have saved one marsh from being squeezed into oblivion between the new SRC road and the newly widened Lanbert Road. They found another marsh a generous guardian angel [B. J. Hoddinott]...”

“Protecting natural areas is difficult in the midst of a growing college campus”
So stated a college article entitled “The Ecology of DuPage” in October 1983. The college’s “original master plan called for seven buildings that would have stretched all along the grasslands and marshy areas east of Lambert."

Today the college master plan has relegated the Hoddinott Wildlife Sanctuary to the recently declared (2012) "service area" of the college and it is no longer identified on the official master plans. During an on site meeting on May 23rd, a representative of the college actually stated that the area was not a part of the college; it's unclear if he mis-spoke or was stating the current attitude.

It's sad to see Mr. Hoddinott's vision trashed. It's sad to see big money and big interests win in this community college. But I suppose the sanctuary is an anachronism. Hoddinott's vision is no longer consistent with the perceived needs of the college and its vision as a cultural center. In "culture" there may be little need for nature, unless it is mowed or supports a wonderful public relations image. Let's be honest. How much has been spent on the Waterleaf Restaurant and the Inn at the Water's Edge on the campus? What's the annual operating budget for these facilities? Let's compare to the annual expenditures to maintain and improve the three "natural areas" on the campus. Enough said!

A Challenge
Today, in 2013, Mr. Hoddinott's vision is languishing. Perhaps it's time for the neighbors, including those to the south to take up the challenge and restore that vision.

 Notes

1. This post includes quotes from several issues of the College of DuPage newsletter including those dated November 1980, October 1983 and Spring 1986
2. According to COD documents, a pipe draining water out of the Lake #4 was capped as part of the marsh preservation project.
3. According to www.Scholarshiplibrary.com, the “B.J. Hoddinott Wildlife Ecology Scholarship” of the College of DuPage is “for students interested in pursuing a field of study in wildlife biology or wildlife ecology in Natural Sciences. Applicants must be a full-time student taking 12 hours per quarter, have accumulated 48 credit hours by Fall Quarter, at least 50 percent of credits from C.O.D., maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA to receive funds, demonstrate financial need and submit Financial Need Statement and complete a five-hour independent study during scholarship year, approved by Hoddinott Project supervisor or Natural Sciences dean.”
4. Thanks to those who provided the documentation to support this article. 
5. Here's a video presentation by Russell Kirt, after whom the prairie on the campus is named:

Flood - Meeting of May 23rd - COD Continues Its Approach

On May 14th our association contacted Mr. Clayton Heffter, Stormwater Permitting Manager, DuPage County Dept. of Economic Development and Planning and requested an onsite meeting to review the recent flooding, the lakes and walk the property line of the college and discuss the situation at the south end of COD's Pond #7 and Wheaton's Lake #4. A series of correspondences ensued and the meeting grew in scope.

On May 23rd a meeting occurred which included representatives of the County of DuPage, City of  Wheaton, Community College of DuPage, Briarcliffe Lakes Manor Homes, the Foxcroft Association and neighbors on Brentwood Lane and to the south.

The meeting was coordinated by the County. In response to my request to clarify the purpose of the expanded meeting, Clayton Heffter stated "My involvement is to help facilitate a meeting with all the different interested parties and offer the County’s expertise and guidance. Additionally, I’ll be able to address some of your questions related to COD development over the years and how they’ve met the requirements of the Stormwater Ordinance, and help answer general stormwater and flood related questions."

A number of individuals were present. Here is a partial list. Clayton Heffter for the County, George Schober of V3 of Illinois an engineering consultant for COD, Bruce Schmeidl for COD, Paul Redman Wheaton's Director of Engineering, Dave Grill property manager for BLMH, the president of the Foxcroft association, a neighbor who has volunteered to coordinate communications with those living on Brentwood Lane and to the south, several others from the college and from the City of Wheaton and myself. I apologize because not everyone is listed.

The meeting commenced on BLMH property at the southernmost end of Wheaton's Lake #3, walked the length of the college property line and the berm erected by the college as part of its new Pond #9, walked part of the berm separating the College's Pond #7 from Lake #4, inspected the weir on that berm, and then walked or drove to the southern shore of Lake #4 and Pond #7.

Core Issue - Overtopping of Lakes #3, #4, Pond 7 and Flooding
The meeting began with a brief description of the overtopping of Lake #3 and flow from COD's campus which joined at BLMH's property line and then formed a fast flowing stream to the south and Pond #7/ Lake #4.

I made a brief statement that everyone who is present is aware that the issue involves the 1.5 square mile watershed which included portions of Wheaton, Glen Ellyn and the Community College of DuPage. We would tour the bottom of that watershed, which is where the runoff of these storms has to go.

I made the appeal to all present that each of the parties agree to actively participate and cooperate in a larger study that will include Wheaton, the Community College of DuPage and Glen Ellyn. I stated that we were dismayed by the recent flooding and that for the first time in the 35 year history of BLMH we experienced a situation in which about 48 residents were threatened by the largest flood stream ever to occur on our property.  Our association discussed sandbagging contingencies at our most recent association meeting and we have NEVER had to do that before.

What has changed for BLMH? In the past, overtopping of Lake #3 would naturally flow south and southeast, fill the 5 acres of soccer fields and then continue on to Pond #7. Today, because of changes in the topography of the campus and recent construction including parking lots, the CMC building and the regrading as part of the Pond #9 flood water now flows westerly from the campus and onto our property. That is a change and this never occurred before.

During the April 23rd meeting I presented a 5-page document with photos of the flood situation on the college campus in September 2008 and the retention/detention of the soccer fields north of the "B.J. Hoddinott Wildlife Sanctuary" which includes Pond #7. Photos of the sandbagging of the south berm of Pond 7 were included.

The document included comparison photos of the same areas taken on [April] 18, 2013. I asked if everyone had seen the videos, in particular the 4-1/2 minute composite. I had a laptop with me if that were necessary. Mr. Schmeidl suggested everyone had and wanted to move this along.

Mr. Schober stated again that most of the water was "bypass flow" and would not answer my question about how it is that the college constructed a berm that was to "shield" our association and which now traps outflow from the college on our property? That question was not answered. Schmeidl stated that the college is a "good neighbor" and expressed that for part of the morning of the 18th a portion of the campus was closed and that some equipment rooms had experienced flooding.

We continued south and viewed pond #9. I asked where and how much water was being conveyed from other portions of the campus and into the pond. There was no reply to that question.

We continued south to Pond #7 and Lake #4. It was suggested that we see the weir and walk the berm and then continue to the south shore. Schmeidl objected but we persisted and did so.

After walking to the weir separating Pond #7 from Lake #4 we then continued around the lake and re-convened on the south shore. We continued to discuss the situation, describe the events depicted in the photos given to Schmeidl and others, and then continued to the south shore of Pond #7 and college property. This is where the initial overtopping began, and flooding occurred with the overtopping of Pond #7 and Lake #4 south berms.

The discussions included proper berm maintenance, discussions of berm conditions, and so on.

Wheaton Will Proceed Alone With Step 1 of a Study
Redman stated that Wheaton has agreed to begin the process of a study. The College of DuPage has not, to my knowledge, agreed to cooperate or actively participate. There was no statement of acceptance of participation or a willingness to participate and cooperate in a joint study by Schmeidl or Schober. In other words, Wheaton for the present will have to go it alone, as it did in 1997.

Redman stated that Lakes #3 and #4 are part of a "City Managed System."

Step 1 is to lay the ground work for the study. It will take time and money. The Wheaton City Council will have to approve the funding for a study and has not yet done so. The numbers are not yet in.

To be successful a study will have to include the larger areas. At present, part of the water collected in the college flows into pond #9. It is joined by other water flow from other areas of the college. It all collects in Pond #7 and then flows into Wheaton's lake #4 and from there it will flow via Wheaton's storm sewers into larger depositories to the south.

There is no outflow from the south western portion of the college campus except via overtopping the berms of CODs pond #7 or into Wheaton's Lake #4.

What Would a Good Neighbor Do?
Schmeidl, the representative of COD stated that the college is a "good neighbor."

Good neighbors don't push the problems downhill. During the meeting, Schober said that the pond #7 area was not part of the College. It was quickly pointed out that to our knowledge that is untrue and in fact, his firm had engineered in 2012 a storm sewer from the area of Pond #9 to the wetlands and into Pond #7.

Good neighbors recognize their involvement and responsibilities and do something to help others.

Telling us that the problem was "bypass flows" which in other words is attempting to state that "the water is from upstream and is simply flowing around the college" ignores the fact that there is significant rainfall on the campus and most of it must flow from the campus to elsewhere. A significant amount does flow into Pond #7 and Lake #4.

It was stated at the opening of the meeting that we, the neighbors, are concerned with the apparent inadequacy of Lake #3, Lake #4 and Pond #7. In addition, there is simply insufficient storm sewer capacity to properly drain these large bodies of water. It all seems to flow into Lake #4 and that's what causes the flooding.

Schober made the observation that there is a 36 inch connection from Lake #3 into the campus and to a detention pond to the east. No one present could confirm that. Schober stated that this connection probably allowed water to flow from Lake #3 and into COD's pond during events such as occurred in 2013. However, it is also possible that connection allows water to flow from the campus and into Wheaton's Lake #3. Or, if water flows from Lake #3 to one of COD's ponds, it is also possible for it to continue from that pond only to be returned to Pond #9 and from there to Pond #7.

What is the Position of the Community College of DuPage?
Reading between the lines of the statements and explanations provided by Schober, it is apparent that the college has taken the position that the problem is due to "bypass flows" and the unusual circumstances of the 18th were a consequences of peak rainfalls and saturated soils. However, that doesn't explain the destination of the water that falls on COD's 273 acres, nor does it explain how much of COD runoff does reach Pond #7 and Lake #4.  We do know it travels off of their campus and continues downstream. We also know that on April 18th Lake #3 overtopped first, followed by Pond #7 and finally by Lake #4, because this was observed and documented by neighbors on Brentwood and by me. We also know that the capacity of the system is inadequate, and that the discharge of Pond #7 and Lake #4 is via a single, restricted storm sewer. When the system capacity is reached, flooding is inevitable. Finally, we also know that runoff from COD has to go somewhere and this includes Pond #7 and Lake #4. Schober raised a question when he stated that there is a large underground connection between Lake #3 and one of COD's ponds. What else don't we know?

Schober stated that the college had to deal with significant runoff from upstream Glen Ellyn, but later contradicted that by stating that GE contributes only about 20 acres of runoff.

The position of the college appears to be this; because flow originates upstream, they are not a part of the problem and so they don't need to be involved in an area wide solution. The college has met the stormwater requirements of the county and so the problem is someone else's. In his May 6th email to me about the flooding, Robert Breuder, the president of the college summed it up this way. "It goes without saying that if ever COD causes a valid problem for its neighbors, we will address the same quickly and responsibly."

The college apparently does not see that it is involved in a valid problem for its neighbors!

Is that the proper position for a body supported by public funds which is a member of the "community"?" It may not be an accident that the "Community College of DuPage" has installed signage and deleted the word "Community" not only in word, but apparently in deed.

Unless there is an area study and flows from the contributors including Wheaton's Lakes upstream as well the COD campus, we won't know how to solve this problem. For example, until we know how much water really enters Pond #7 and Lake #4 during these 2% and 1% rainfall events, it isn't possible to determine what improvements should be made to the underground discharge of Lake #4. Nor is it possible to determine exactly how much retention and detention is prudent for Lakes #3, #4, Pond #7 and the areas adjacent on college property.

Of course, expanding any retention/detention areas will cost money and will also absorb real estate. The college has plans for its campus and that real estate is finite and valuable. That is probably the real reason the college has not volunteered to participate. As a consequence any solution will have to occur off of the campus.

Thanks to All
Thanks to everyone who attended the meeting, to Wheaton for stepping up to the plate, to the College of DuPage for listening and to the County for assisting and getting this initial step to happen.  I realize that not everyone who attended was empowered to make any promises, and we don't know the instructions that were given to Messrs Schober and Schmeidl by the college. One positive development was that everyone did agree that a larger involvement is necessary. However, the college continues to disappoint as it feels that it is "not a part of the problem" and therefore does not need to be involved, to paraphrase Robert Breuder's comments in his May 6 email to me.

Notes: 

Oops! First posted with April 23 meeting date. Not correct. Actual meeting occurred on May 23rd and that has been corrected in the post.

1. The above is a summary and is not all inclusive. The duration of the walk and meeting was about two hours.
2. What's Changed since 2004? In 2004 COD began a series of construction programs to expand parking and adjust detention ponds and water storage. Detention Pond 3 (DP3) was eliminated by rerouting of storm water from Detention Pond 3 to Detention Pond 2. Parking Lot K was built over the vacated pond.
3. Construction has continued since 2004. Here's a graphic of the master plan of the college as it existed in 2004. It shows some of the ponds and detention areas which existed then.

A Pragmatic Approach

The flooding in Briarcliffe, its causes and solutions are currently under review. There are a number of  different positions and a range of stakeholders. Some are merely observers. Some will be expected to put something on the table to solve this. Some will expect someone else to pay to solve this. Some will expect to do little or nothing. 

I prefer to think of those who are involved as being in two groups. One is "the problem solvers" and the other is the "observers." However, it is possible to have both roles and switch from one to another. This happens frequently when observers realize that they are to be left behind or the outcome will be unacceptable. At that time they may switch roles. However, there is a dilemma. Becoming motivated at the end of the decision making process is usually far too late to have any real impact on the process. Arriving late is at best an attempt to exert influence on a decision that has already been made.

Arriving late is an approach that is being advocated by a few. 

A range of possibilities

There are a range of possible outcomes for the flooding problem. They include "no change" and various degrees of "improvement."

If you experienced the recent flooding, or if you were very, very close and did not simply because the waters receded, then you have one perspective. If you are one of those who is expected to pay for a solution, then you have another perspective.

What's the most likely outcome and what is a viable solution? Are they the same or are they different, and what are they? I do have an answer to the question. However, I am not revealing it at this time and this post serves to explain. 

Pragmatism
When approaching a problem and creating a solution, there are differing perspectives. Some problems invoke an emotional response. Flooding which is assumed to be preventable is one of those.

Individuals may prefer pessimism or optimism. A pragmatic approach recognizes a range of possible outcomes and includes pessimism and optimism. A pragmatic approach recognized the complexities and the differing positions of those involved. It also goes beneath the obvious to the motivations or possible motivations of the problem solvers.

Observers also have motivations and expectations. They can influence the problem solvers. In a situation of re-occurring flooding, it's essential that the observers become participants and make their expectations known to all of the problem solvers. It should be done openly and consistently. Coordination is useful. In this case of the flooding, I advocated a petition. That however, has been nixed and so yesterday I formally retracted that request. (Note 2).

People do have the right to choose their destiny and to take the actions to accomplish that future.

A range of outcomes
In complex problems which involve multiple players and money there are a range of possible outcomes. So too with the causes or possible causes of the flooding in this area. The outcomes include "no change," varying degrees of "reduced flooding" and "no future flooding."

Reality dictates that the actual solution that is implemented will be somewhere in that range. The likelihood of "no change" is small. The possibility of "no future flooding" is most likely unattainable. A reasonable solution will be somewhere between.

The outcome will vary from address to address because the flooding was not universal or consistent.

The success of the outcome will be subjectively assessed because of the impact on individual addresses. In the past, there was no problem a few blocks away. Whatever was in place prior to 2008 was completely successful for those who never previously experienced flooding. That changed in 2013 when some of the neighbors suddenly became aware of the existence of a "flood control district" in Wheaton and COD's pond #7. It wasn't hidden although Lake #4 is shielded behind a berm. Anyone who accesses Google maps would see the COD campus and several bodies of water. Some of the neighbors enjoy fishing on someone else's private property. No, it isn't a secret.

This is a complex problem
Coming to the conclusion that this really is a difficult problem is essential to having a solution. Let's see, we have COD to the north and east of the flood zone, which is Glen Ellyn only in name; a better descriptor would be "rogue college." Then to the north and west we have the City of Wheaton. The Village of Glen Ellyn is largely invisible when it comes to dealing with the problem, and the County of DuPage are the accomplices or enablers who say "All necessary code requirements have been met."

Now, none of these are the 'bad guys.' They are simply the players, and it is because of the interaction of these entities over decades that we have arrived where we are today. Or, to phrase it more accurately, where we were on April 18.

It's going to take the involvement and cooperation of each of these entities to come to a realistic and reasonable solution.

It hasn't happened before and so why should we expect that it can and will happen today?

Now you know why it's my opinion that this is a complex problem.

Negotiations
The first step in solving complex problems is to get those who have the authority and have a role in determining a solution to come together. They are the individuals who can cause a solution and should include those who may be required to give something at the table. They are those who are accountable and can make the decisions that are necessary. If they are unwilling to participate voluntarily, then it is necessary to enroll someone who can exert sufficient pressure to get everyone together. These individuals are sometimes called stakeholders.

Complex problems include complex, multi-part negotiations. For each problem that is identified there is a solution or solutions discussed. In each step it is decided what is to be done by whom, by when and who will pay for this. Or, what type of burden sharing is this to include?

In any negotiation there are three possible responses. Each of the following are acceptable if one takes the position that in a negotiation a request is made and there is then a response. Negotiations can be complex or simple. Here are the possible responses to each request :

• accept
• counteroffer
• decline

Each of the above is a perfectly valid response. There are consequences for each response and a decline can stop the action.

Here's a clarification. In the above, I said that "The first step...is to get those who have the authority and ...can cause a solution...They are those who are accountable and can make the decisions" In other words, these are the decision makers who are empowered to make those decisions. I consider this to be a very important distinction. It's easy to state opinions to spend someone else's money or to declare that "so and so" should do this or that. Such opinions seldom get the job done. It's essential to get "buy in" from the various decision makers. 

Halting negotiations

For negotiations to succeed there must be good faith among all of the problem solvers. Negotiations can halt and solutions can become impossible if any one of the problem solvers repeatedly says "No!" To further the action requires a process of accepting and counter-offering. As this continues, the problem solvers will discuss many differing solutions and the objections and obstacles will be revealed. Burden sharing can be a show stopper!

As any party can say "No" at any time, and as it is possible for one party to be intransigent, it's necessary to have someone at the table who can exert influence. Call it "pressure."

In the case of the flooding, this is absolutely necessary. Of course, we're unawares of the behind the scene discussions that have occurred in the past between the Village of Glen Ellyn, the City of Wheaton, the Community College of DuPage, and the County of DuPage.

For this round to succeed, a more open discussion is essential. 

Agendas, Beliefs and Expected Outcomes
Each individual participating in defining and developing has a different commitment. That commitment is their personal expectation and a desired outcome.

Some will base this on their personal belief system. "We'll negotiate honorably" is one example. It's not prudent to assume that anyone else is going to adhere to that or to any other personal belief or position, declared or otherwise.

Everyone who is involved to solve a problem which includes differing positions has a personal agenda. One of the aspects of that agenda is to "look good."

Unreasonable Expectations
Some expect that a solution can be achieved if only a few of the stakeholders take an active, committed role.  That's an unreasonable expectation.

Some of the observers expect that the outcome will assure that there will never again be flooding.  Some have the position that a good solution will spare them in the future and have little concern for anyone else. Some expect that a "class action" legal action will solve this.

It's useful for individuals to honestly appraise their expectations and openly declare them. That does not always occur.

Revealing and Unconcealing
To succeed in arriving at an acceptable solutions, it's essential to unconceal the motivations, agendas and commitments of the different problem solvers who are involved.

That is because human beings don't always operate in accordance with their stated intentions. Lawyers are experts at obfuscation and diversion. That's something to keep in mind. Each of us, to varying degrees has the same capability and will and do use them to accomplish our personal objectives. There are a lot of intelligent and educated people in this area. It would be unreasonable to expect that they haven't learned how to play the game and play it well.

Operating at cross purposes
If we recognize that each of the problem solvers has a personal agenda, an expected outcome, and a desired involvement, then it is easier to understand why there is unworkability present in communities and organizations.

The solution to the flooding will include dealing with such cross purposes. Everyone will immediately state that flooding is undesirable  However, when we ask "what will you do to solve this problem" is when these impediments will occur.

For example, the Community College of DuPage has steadfastly taken the position that they meet all codes. Their primary and overwhelming interest is in utilizing every yard of their 273 acres in a manner that benefits their goals. If flooding is a natural consequence and there are no codes to prevent it, well, then too bad for the neighbors!

Looking good is hardly likely when flooding is involved. However, everyone wants to look good. That can be used from time to time.

Holding the rope
That's an expression that is used in very dangerous situations involving mountain climbing. The person who is called upon to "hold the rope" is the one who has the life of the climber literally in his or her hands. If a mistake occurs or if under duress and pain should the rope be released, there can be serious consequences. It requires real commitment and integrity to agree to "hold the rope" and then do so. (Note 1).

In problem solving there will be times when the entire outcome is dependent upon one person. That will require literally "holding the rope." In the process of solving complex problems, there are at times multiple rope holders, and that task gets passed. If any "rope holder" should let go, there can be large setbacks or failure.

In successful negotiation each individual at the table is completely aware that they do in fact, "hold the rope." However, there is a willingness to compromise. There is also a shared commitment  If everyone wants some sort of successful conclusion, then the negotiations will succeed.

It is sometimes necessary to determine and reveal what that shared commitment is. If that does not occur, then negotiations may fail, particularly if there are intransigent parties at the table.

In the flooding situation which occurs south of the COD campus and in Briarcliffe from time to time, there appears to be no shared commitment. That is another reason I view this as a difficult problem.

I've found it interesting that if asked, many in our society will say "Oh, yes, you can count on me to "hold the rope."" A few years ago I got a a rude awaking when in an exercise. It was necessary to hold the rope and the guy who was holding the rope I was tethered to looked me in the eyes and said "I've got you." I could see he was physically struggling. A few seconds later, he let me go and I fell.

What I learned from that exercise is simply that what people say, and what they do, may not be aligned. Some people will say it this way "the road to hell is paved with good intentions." This is true even with the best of intentions and with lives in the balance.

I really don't know why he let go. Why don't I know? Shortly thereafter he told me why. But here's a question. If there was a lack of integrity involved, then how is it possible to believe what that individual told me? Perhaps he was being honest and straightforward and perhaps he wasn't.. Suffice it to say that he did let go. He professed a reason for doing so.

In the game of life, we either get results or we get reasons.

Conclusion
I'm a professional problem solver. Some are easy, some are very difficult, and a few have been declared to be impossible. Nevertheless, I approach all problems with the same dedication, passion and commitment. My success rate is extra-ordinary.

My "role" here is primarily that of a committed observer. However, I've been operating in accordance with what I have posted here.  I'm using my skills to direct and exert some pressure both publicly and behind the scenes. My association will be involved, like it or not. However, we too are at the bottom of that 1.5 square mile watershed. We have no control over the operation and maintenance of Wheaton's flood control district or project. To the Community College of DuPage, we exist in a cursory manner. So my personal involvement will be limited. It will take a much bigger crow bar to move this.

This problem is solvable. It's too early to say how it will be solved or if it will be.  Recognizing the agendas of some of the participants, those who will have the roles of "problem solvers" indicates this could be very difficult. When I say "very difficult" I literally mean that it will be far easier to fail than to succeed.

The observers also have an agenda. One owner has stated that the reason for the flood was because the berm on Lake #4 "was not properly maintained." Some are angling for a class action suit. Even the Chicago Tribune in a recent article stated that the leaking pipe on Lake #4 caused the flooding. That was apparently because others told the reporter that the pipe was the cause. I find that to be interesting!

In this situation everyone serves a purpose. Its interesting to unconceal that purpose or to have the individuals reveal it. We all serve a purpose and we can be used to accomplish and serve a larger purpose.

Notes:

1. In real world, modern climbing, mechanical contrivances are used to reduce the necessity to rely upon any one person to "hold the rope." The dangers are well recognized and steps are taken to avoid these situations. In training exercises, perceived danger is as useful for revealing actions and outcomes as would be real danger. To those participating in the training, perception is what matters. 
2. On May 21 I sent an email to the neighbors group, retracting my request for a petition. In that email I said this: "You can consider that request to be retracted. The May 19th email has served one of its purposes..."
3. How will this turn out? My crystal ball doesn't work at all. I can anticipate events, predict actions and likely outcomes. However, that is not the same as predicting the future. Politicians insist they can do that. I'm no politician. Nor do I think taking a "wait and see" attitude will be beneficial to the outcome. 
4. In situations of this type, it's possible to be used by others to accomplish their personal agenda. That's not necessarily a terrible thing. However, personal agendas which have nothing to do with the larger problem or the greater good are problematic. For example, I'm sure there are a few neighbors who see "job one" as protecting their personal property. That's a problem if such an achievement is their one and only goal and compromises the achievement of a larger solution. This is another example of individuals operating at cross purposes. 
5. The flood of April 18, 2013 occurred one month ago. In this age of sound bites and tweets, that's a lifetime ago! There are 400 million tweets in one single day!  My point? The flood of April 18 is so "ancient." We did discuss the necessity to keep this in momentum. One day was 400 million tweets ago. Oh well!

Flood - A Call to the Committed

Here is the question. Do YOU want to see this problem solved, or do you want to pass it to someone else to solve some day, or one day, in the future? Are you willing to take a stand or not? If you want to solve this, then continue reading.

Believe me, there are a lot of people who have no interest in solving this. For the stakeholders, who are those who will have to make the decision to expend hard cash to solve this, there are a lot of other things pulling at those dollars. So what would the popular decision be? Solve this problem, or avoid it and promote something with glitter, like a new statue on the COD campus, or downtown activities in Glen Ellyn and Wheaton?

If you were a politician, or an administrator or member of the board of the trustees of the "Community" College of DuPage, what would you do?  Frankly, the answer to that question is easy. Simply continue doing what has worked in the recent past, and avoid the difficult decision.

That is exactly the outcome to be expected after the flood of 2013. Why should you expect anything different? Left to their own devices, the decision makers will make exactly the same decision they have made in the past.

On April 19 4:49pm I made the formal request that this message be sent to everyone in the neighborhood network.  Here is that message:

A Personal Request
Hello, I’m the guy who filmed the flood, has the personal blog, and is advocating a solution.

The flood occurred four weeks ago. Most recently, including 1996, 2008 and 2013 this type of flooding has been experienced south of COD’s Glen Ellyn Pond 7 and Wheaton’s Lake 4, which is a part of that City’s “Special Flood Control” project.

Four weeks after the most recent flooding, a lot of us are returning to normal and the attention of the College, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton and the neighborhood is looking toward the end of the current school semester, summer and the Memorial Day Holiday.

However, it is up to each of us to keep this problem in front of the officials and decision makers who can do something about this. This is vitally important if we want to accomplish any positive change. In the past, there has been public concern but as some of the neighbors have said “nothing came of it.” The City of Wheaton did, in fact, do some things in 1997 to alleviate this problem but it was insufficient and they acted alone. That’s not going to get the job done. The watershed which flows into this neighborhood covers about 1-1/2 square miles and includes portions of the COD campus, Glen Ellyn and Wheaton.

Do you want this to be another one of those situations in which this difficult problem gets passed over to deal with more attractive, colorful and easier problems? If not, then we need your help. We need to keep this problem visible and we need to press a variety of officials at the college, nearby communities, the county and the state in order to assist them in making the difficult and expensive decisions required to reduce the flooding in our neighborhood.

To provide some insight, I’ll relate a statement that was made on May 8 during a neighborhood meeting at the College of DuPage. Robert Breuder, the president said to one of the neighbors that “The flooding is obviously not a serious situation; otherwise there would have been more people here tonight.” That’s the perspective and unless we each press this, I am convinced this is the position the politicians and administrators will take. Some mean well, some have more pressing concerns. We need this to be an important issue and we need to keep it in the forefront if it is to get the funding and attention it requires.

This is a legal, technical, financial and political problem. Legally, COD may be complying with all codes and ordinances. Legally, it may be proper to allow the “natural drainage pattern” to continue and these floods to continue. Technically, there are solutions which can reduce flooding. Financially, someone or someone’s must come up with the funds to fix this. Politically, sufficient exertion must be placed on Wheaton, Glen Ellyn and COD to work together to solve this problem, make the difficult decisions to do what will be necessary and come up with the funds to do so. If we expect the City of Wheaton can do this on their own, we are mistaken.

The decision makers include:

•  Anthony J. Charlton, P.E – Director and Jim Zay - Chairman, Stormwater Management Planning Committee
• Dan Cronin - County Board Chairman
• Clayton Heffter, Stormwater Permitting Manager, DuPage County Dept. of Economic Development and Planning
• JR McBride – District 4 Board Member
• Michael Gresk - Mayor of Wheaton
• Mark Franz – Village Manager, Glen Ellyn
• Robert L. Breuder – President, College of DuPage
• The Board of Trustees, College of DuPage
• Sandy Pihos, Illinois State Representative

You can send a letter to each of these, and the names of the board of trustees of the College of DuPage is on their website. In the past, I've sent individual letters to each of the individuals on the above list and to each and every member of the Board of Trustees of the College. I suggest you do likewise. You may also add your Village or City councilman or councilwoman.

I also suggest that [the communications leader for the neighborhood group] prepare a petition. I request that each of us provide our names and addresses and sign that petition. I suggest a copy be sent to all of the individuals on the above list.

This situation is being monitored by a reporter at the Chicago Tribune, who has been helpful in focusing attention on this problem. I’ll send a copy of any and all letters or emails I receive, as well as the petitions to that reporter, as I have agreed to stay in communications about this problem.

Here is a possible text for the petition:
“We, the residents of unincorporated Glen Ellyn and of Wheaton, who live at the southernmost extreme of the College of DuPage’s Pond 7 in Glen Ellyn and Wheaton’s Flood Control Lake #4 hereby petition the State, the County, the College, the Village of Glen Ellyn and the City of Wheaton to take coordinated steps to end the flooding of these neighborhoods in 50 year and 100 year flood events, which are sometimes called 1% and 2% rainfall events.

This is an unacceptable situation in these affluent communities, and in neighborhoods which are adjacent to a Community College which boasts “luxury hotel accommodations” and a “fine dining” restaurant. In recent years, alterations to the neighborhood has exacerbated flooding. Our neighborhood is now the repository of runoff during severe storms. It has been stated that this is the “natural pattern of drainage” and implied that flooding is to be expected and is acceptable.

We think that repetitive and reoccurring flooding of our homes and neighborhood is not to be expected or tolerated, and via this petition we are communicating our expectation that the County of DuPage, Community College of DuPage, City of Wheaton and Village of Glen Ellyn come together to do something about this. Each of you are an entity which is supported by tax dollars. You are public institutions and part of your role is to promote well-being.

We encourage you to solve this problem. We encourage you to cooperate and take the difficult steps to alleviate flooding in this area. We do understand that under extreme conditions flooding is unavoidable. However, the definition of “extreme” is subjective. The flood of April 18, 2013 occurred with 6.91 inches of rainfall in a 24 hour period. A ["100 year" or 1% event] will have between 7.35 and 8.68 inches of rainfall in 24 hours. On April 18 the rainfall was in the range for a “50 year event” which is between 6.66 and 7.24 inches.

Something has changed to contribute to the flooding. On September 12-13, 2008 the area received 5.27" rainfall according to DuPage County. At that time, with minor sandbagging behind COD’s Pond 7, neighbors were able to contain the overtopping of that pond and avoid flooding. In 2013 flooding was unavoidable and the interconnected pond #7 and Lake #4 overtopped. Several blocks of homes were flooded. Water was 3 feet deep behind and in front of homes on Brentwood, some homes had 8 feet of water and it ran for blocks down Briarcliffe Blvd. The recommendation for personal flood proofing may be futile in this situation.

We encourage action and expect accountability.“

To my neighbors, thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you for contacting the decision makers. It will make a difference. I've written about this situation in my personal blog http://briarcliffelakes.blogspot.com/ and I am convinced it will take each and every one of us to shift this.

Norman Retzke
LetMeThinkAboutThisBlog@gmail.com”



Notes:

1. "We are either a part of the solution or we are a part of the problem." That paraphrases the comment I made to Robert Breuder, the president of the College of DuPage in my email dated May 6. 
2. So where do you stand? Are you a part of the solution or a part of the problem? It's time to choose sides and there is no middle ground here. 

Flood - Photos 2008 and 2013 - Drainage vs Retention - Smoke and Mirrors?

If you want to jump to the chase, scroll down  to the photos. Otherwise, read on.

Retention, Detention, Wetlands and "Smoke and Mirrors"
Solving problems of this type requires looking at specifics, asking the right questions and getting specific answers to those questions.

There's more to the photos in this post than meets the eye. Here's a question to be answered. Were the 2011-2012 permits for pond 9 to be an increase in retention, or a replacement for other retention areas paved over by the college?  The photos of 2008 indicate a large existing area which provided service as a "retention/detention area" in 2008. With the construction changes on the campus how much detention/retention was actually added via the 2011-2012 construction? In particular, west of Lambert Road. If none or little was added then the "new" pond 9 may be "smoke and mirrors." It may be inadequate.

Some of the neighbors have noticed that some areas that were previously flooded were not on April 18. Other areas that weren't are now flooded or seem to be more flooded. What's going on?

Here's a third question to be answered. The most recent National Wetlands Inventory indicates that the area adjacent to the newly constructed COD pond 9 is a wetland. In 2008 it was a practice soccer field which provided both detention and retention; it was not a wetland. Is this a replacement for other wetland areas paved over or used by the college? Was this retention/detention area relabeled as "wetland" with no real or appreciable area gain and for the sole purpose of meeting some Federal "wetland" requirement? If a wetland label was applied to an area that formerly served as detention/retention that would imply that somewhere else on campus wetland was lost, and those areas usually retain water. That implies a reduction in detention/retention area. Looking at COD, it's apparent that these areas can't simply be moved without upsetting drainage patterns. After all, large areas to the south of the campus have flooded repeatedly.

Are these important questions? Yes, they are. Removing wetlands and detention/retention areas, replacing them with asphalt and sewers and then relabeling existing areas which previously served as retention/detention is a sham.

Reducing retention or detention areas will contribute to downstream flooding.

The final questions are these. Are the retention/detention areas of lakes 3 and 4 the same as they were in 1996? How much silt has been added to these lakes? Should Lake #3 be larger to relieve downstream flooding? If Lake #3 were substantially larger, could it alleviate the overtopping of that lake and would the flooding of areas south of COD be reduced? This and other questions will be looked at in an exploration of solutions in a future post.

What's Missing?
Before continuing to the photos, I will state the obvious. One of the things to be done to succeed is to determine what's missing and do that. I think residents in the area want a cohesive and broader look at the entire problem of flooding. One of the things that has been missing is a demand to solve the problem.

"Cohesive and broader" requires the involvement of all parties. It requires commitment and a willingness to get this done. What we have here is a classical turf war with a college which has grand plans but is geographically constrained and will use every taxpayer dollar it can raise to manicure or build on every available square inch of the property. It includes a Village which has ignored this problem for decades, a County which has only recently become involved and is a question mark, and the City of Wheaton which is now the center of attention. In the game of "duck and cover" having Wheaton take center stage works for everyone else.

Gee, this is the way it must have been in medieval Europe, with fiefdoms and duchies. Didn't that time include the period referred to as the "Dark Ages?"

The geography and measurements are easy. It includes the current capacity of lakes 3, 4 and the COD property west of Lambert, which includes the emerging wetland called pond 7 and pond 9. It includes the surface areas involved as well as an analysis of current retention and the necessary retention for the area in a "1%" and "2%" rainfall. Note that I said "for the area." That's what's been missing. A comprehensive study should include the entire COD campus and the Willoway Brook Drainage Basin; those portions that drain into Pond 7 and Lake 4 at the very least. That area includes portions of Wheaton, Glen Ellyn and the College of DuPage. As I said earlier, why shouldn't COD be retaining all of its runoff? The quick answer as to why it isn't doing so is this; periodic downstream flooding is acceptable for the college and is someone else's problem! Apparently that's the predominant theme for some of the other players in this drama.

I suspect this area is more susceptible to flooding today than it was in the recent past. What's changed since 2008? However, the ultimate question isn't what wasn't done in the past, but what should be done in the present. The codes apparently don't require this and so the water and the excuses keep rolling downhill.

What seems to be missing is cooperation and balance. Paul Redman, Wheaton's Director of Engineering has stated that there is a "cost - benefit" to this, and it must be weighed. It should also be shared.  I'd like COD, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton and the County to get together to sort this out. After all, the 1.5 square miles that drain into this area is within those communities and the college.

Is this too much to ask for? That's entirely up to us. We don't have to accept a future which is a continuation of the past.  We can create a different future. Will we? Will we take the necessary actions?

Photos of the Western area of COD, Lake #4 and Brentwood Lane Sept. 2008
This post includes a few photos taken during the flooding of 2008 and April 2013 so you may compare. At the end of the post is an aerial view of the southwest corner of the campus and its practice fields as they existed in 2008 and "dry." The area in that final photo is immediately north of COD's Pond #7 emergent wetland. The area of these practice fields was at a lower elevation than BLMH and sloped toward the 7.59 acres of COD's pond #7 "emergent wetland."  In 2008 COD had acres of grassy areas which have since been eliminated by the college. Some of this earlier retention was replaced by the new pond 9.

This post will look at a few of the retention/detention areas on the campus that existed in 2008 and how they aided in flood abatement.

Background for flooding in 2008
In September 2008 Wheaton experienced a downpour of 5.27 inches, and the area experienced flooding. Others were affected and the adjacent city of Warrenville published this statement:  "In September 2008, a large storm occurred that caused unprecedented flooding in the City of Warrenville."   (Note 1).

I don't want to underestimate the gravity of 2008 when sandbagging behind Brentwood Lane halted the overtopping of COD's Pond #7. However, what occurred on Brentwood in 2008 was a trickle as compared to the flooding of 2013!

A Return to 2008
These photos indicate the aftermath of a rainstorm of 5.27 inches. Compare these photos to the videos and photos of the same area with 6.91 inches on April 18 and after a modified campus.

The photos of 2008 show extensive standing water on the western portion of the campus. Some of the water of the storm of 2008 was detained and retained in large practice fields. Water did continue to flow south and homeowners south of COD's Nature Study Area and Pond #7 were sandbagging to protect their homes from the water exiting COD's nature area, which can be seen in the background in this photo looking to the southeast. Flooding was contained on Brentwood Lane!

The following photo depicts the way this same area looked in 2012 during COD's construction. This is before the addition of  the CMC building. If you compare the backgrounds in this photo to the one above you'll see why I consider the attitude of the College to be unacceptable. You may also gain some understanding of why some of those in Wheaton and unincorporated Glen Ellyn say that "The College of DuPage is a bad neighbor."

Back in 2008 this area was a "nature center" while today it has become, in the parlance of the College of DuPage, the "service area" of the college. Some people use the term "service area" as a euphemism for their "dump." The college has since cleaned up this area and installed a grassy berm, and continues to work on this. We were told it was to "shield" our association. However, the college has now admitted that it had another purpose; that's for another post.

Some owners who had these views or are adjacent have seen their home values plummet up to 50% from where they were. Gee, could our College be a part of the problem?

Here's a view in 2008 looking northeast toward the "M" building from BLMH and the water on the campus. It is inundated with standing water. The final photo in this post indicates where the photographer was standing:

Here's the conditions at the south berm of Lake #4 during the flood of 2008; no overflow:

Meanwhile COD's soccer practice fields were under water, and draining slowly into COD's pond #7 which was flowing into the yards behind Brentwood Lane. The neighbors on Brentwood Lane managed this by sandbagging:

With sandbagging by the neighbors, COD's Pond #7 was contained behind Brentwood Lane. There was no overtopping of Wheaton's Lake #4. The flooding was minor, as you can see by the standing water in the photo (image title corrected):

What a difference another 1.6 inches of rainfall makes! That, combined with the capacity of Lake #3 and alterations on the campus probably contributed to the flooding of 2013. Here's the same area behind COD's Pond #7 in 2013:

Here's a view looking toward the northwest from Brentwood Lane. Lake #4 is in the background and COD's pond 7 is on the right.

Here's the southwest area of the campus during the flooding of April 2013; The beginning of Pond #7 wetlands is on the right, and COD's new CMC building is in the background. The following photo was taken facing directly east:

Here's an aerial view of the "way it was" prior to the recent construction. The arrows in this photo indicate approximately where the photographer was standing for the 2008 photos which provide a view of the "nature study area" and the "M building practice fields":

Was past flooding considered when planning the construction of 2008-2012? 
I don't know. A resident told me that he did submit photos to the college. They were similar to the ones shown above and taken in 2008. He did this when they announced their expansion plans in this corner of the campus. He insists he told the college "This won't work; it will create problems."

I doubt if anyone at COD will say "Yes, you told us so!" unless we can document via certified letters, etc.

How has the drainage and retention changed?
The soccer fields south of the M building were about 2.9 acres in 2008 and during severe rain storms were covered with water and retained it. That's what's shown in the photos of 2008.

An additional area of soccer fields and green space extended from the area to the west of the M building and continued north. This area of about 6 acres also retained water in these storms, and detained the flow into Pond #7's emergent wetland. These grassy and low lying areas shielded BLMH and retained natural flow from higher elevations such as BLMH and COD, as well as Lake #3. This provided some protection for the Brentwood neighborhood.

The total area of this green space and emergent wetlands was about 16.5 acres; but no longer. Not only has the area been reduced, the elevation has been changed. Higher elevations cannot retain water unless by specific design. The new pond #9 meets that criteria.

Is it a coincidence that in 2008 the overtopping of Pond #7 was contained with minor sandbagging and Lake #4 didn't overtop, and yet in 2013 there was massive flooding south of the College? We did get less rainfall in the "flood" of 2008. In 2008 with 5.27 inches of rain the flooding was a "trickle" as compared to what occurred in April 2013.

Did COD alter the natural pattern of drainage?
Today the soccer fields have been removed and grassy areas have been replaced by parking, the CMC building, the "service area" of the college which includes "material storage" and the new "pond 9". A large berm extends for about 750 feet along the western property line of the campus. It sheds water onto the private property to the west, reversing the flow of stormwater which now is trapped to the west and no longer travels to the southeast.

The berm retains nothing and has created a channel or "swale" which directs rapidly flowing water south and into Pond #7 and Lake #4. It also directs it onto the private property west of the campus. Additional construction has raised the elevation of the campus east of the berm including added parking and the CMC building. Those constructs now carry water via new sewers in the direction of CODs pond 9. But not all water drains in that direction. Some leaves the pond 9 area, goes west toward Lake #3 and some, not trapped by the berm, goes south completely bypassing pond #9. All water flows downhill and it eventually finds its was to the Pond #7 emergent wetland and to Lake #4. From there, it may overflow and into Brentwood Lane and homes to the south and also into unincorporated Glen Ellyn.

Back in 2008, Glen Ellyn and the College of DuPage were cozy. When COD began it's expansion in this part of the campus in 2006, that seems to be when things spun out of control.

So how much water was retained in 2008 and how much is retained now? That's a question I'd like answered. To answer it would require access to earlier surveyor's drawings of the campus. However, simply matching the retention of 2008 guarantees flooding under certain conditions. What is required is more retention, not less! A larger solution will be presented in a future post. (Note 2)

I suspect the retention and detention areas of the southwest corner of the campus is less today than it was in 2008. In 2008 these lower lying soccer fields on the western property line of the campus totaled about 9.0 acres. That is equivalent to about 65% of the combined area  of emergent wetland Pond 7 and Lake 4. The subsequent reduction and replacement of those fields combined with the new, higher elevation construction in that part of the campus now sends water into the southwest corner and the Pond #7 wetland via sewers, and at a faster rate. That's the natural consequence of less detention; water flows more rapidly on asphalt and via sewers than it does via grassy fields. Less retention means that those shallow ponds no longer form as they did when the low lying soccer fields filled with water.

In his interview in the May 7 Chicago Tribune article, Robert Breuder, president of the College of DuPage said this:

"The retention pond that we just expanded on the west end of the campus far exceeds our current needs and the current expectations of the county,"

The highlights in the above quote are mine.  I plan on looking more closely into the alteration of the western portion of the campus in a future post.

Notes:

1. Clicking will open a  New Window> Warrenville Flood Investigation
2. Not everyone is happy to be involved in this problem, nor are they willing to find the answer and a solution. Solutions always take money and this problem is no different. I do realize that this is probably boring stuff for those who did not experience flooding in 1996, 2008 and 2013. However, when the next rain comes, there are new owners in the area, or should more extensive flooding occurs, there will probably be the complaint as there was in 2013. Someone may say "How could this happen? I didn't know!" Another will probably say "I didn't know there was a lake over there." (that's an actual quote of a neighbor about two blocks away). Well, no one can ever say someone wasn't putting this out here.
3. This is moving toward a conclusion, albeit slowly. I should be there in two or three more posts, but it may take a few more if I'm to keep these short. This particular post is about 3,000 words. Sorry for that. I realize that I do repeat some of the content of previous posts, but I'm assuming this might be the first time you read about this problem and I'm attempting to provide sufficiency in each post so each can stand alone and provide specific perspective. The next posts will include one on "what hasn't worked; bandaids versus solutions." I suppose that one which is a summary of the previous 20,000 words and photos is probably in order. The concluding post for this series will include specific possibilities and options. Of course, I'll also be providing updates. 
4. I'm no different than anyone else in this area and I too have a lot of other things to do with my time. However, I'm a long term planner and watching this has been like watching that proverbial slow motion train wreck. I decided to document this and to take a stand; that's the responsible thing to do, isn't it? As I recently wrote to Robert Breuder, the president of the College of DuPage, "You are either a part of the solution or the problem." As I see it, it's necessary to "walk the talk" and so it is with this blog. 
5. I will be moving on to other things here at BLMH, but I'll be coming back to this topic from time to time as requirements dictate.  Let's be honest, shall we. In this age of tweets, stream of consciousness news and "20 second" sound bites, most people have already moved on to something else. Is it any wonder that longer term and larger problems cannot be solved, such as the recurring flooding of this part of DuPage County?