Current Conditions - Wheaton Lakes 2, 3 and 4

Update: According to the City of Wheaton at 3:04 pm, the outflow of Lake 4 "is flowing at design capacity."

Original Post: Prior to beginning my work day I went to Wheaton's Lakes 2, 3 and 4. Lake 2 feeds Lake 3, and Lake 3 feeds Lake 4. Water flows downhill from further north in this very large watershed which is 1/3rd in Glen Ellyn and 2/3rd in Wheaton. This post includes several photos and a brief video.

I received an "out of office" response to my email yesterday. That automated response was from Wheaton's Director of Engineering. I have not yet received a response from the Mayor, City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Public Works, or Councilmen.  I expressed a concern about the levels of the lakes and also that the flow control device at the discharge of Lake 4 may not be completely open. This "gate"is managed and locked by the City of Wheaton.

It is currently raining. Here is the NOAA.gov radar image at 8:20am this morning:

The levels of Lakes 2, 3 and 4 have fallen over the night, which was dry (no rainfall).

Here is the situation at the discharge of Lake 3 at about 8:15am this morning. The level of the storm sewer connecting Lakes 3 and 4 had fallen about a foot. The Levels of both Lakes 3 and 4 have decreased. However, the level of Lake 3 is completely above the storm sewers which empty into this lake, and bring water from further north. Of course, as water flows from upstream both Lakes 3 and 4 will continue to fill, and the restrictor placed upon the discharge of Lake 4 by the City of Wheaton reduces the volume of discharge. The City of Wheaton has an easement upon these lakes and controls the levels, directly via the storm sewers from the upstream lakes, the restrictor placed upon the discharge of Lake 4 by the City and the position of the Lake 4 discharge gate.

The very top of the discharge storm sewer at Lake 3 is exposed, but the inlets at the other side of the lake remain under water:

The level of the water at the storm sewer grate which is at the discharge of Lake 3 is now exposed. The lake level has dropped about one foot since 4:00pm yesterday:

The level of Lake 4 has also dropped and there is a continuous flow of water through the discharge. However, the condition and position of the discharge gate is unknown to me.