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Flooding

Natural Benefits of Floodplain

Floodplain Map

The Village of Lincolnshire is situated in two watersheds – the North Branch of the Chicago River watershed is generally located east of Riverwoods Road and the Des Plaines River (including Indian Creek) watershed is generally located west of Riverwoods Road.

Everyone lives in a watershed. A watershed is simply a land area that collects and feeds water runoff into a channel or drain. This water can come in the form of rain, snow, irrigation, etc. There are a number of manmade features which feed water runoff from the watershed into our rivers, lakes or streams. These include drainage swales, paved surfaces such as streets or driveways, storm sewers, etc.

Located in these watersheds are areas designated as floodway and floodplain. The floodway is the channel or area that conveys water, i.e. a river, stream or creek. The floodway is that area that is below the base flood elevation and is susceptible to flooding. By their very definition, these areas require special care and attention. They serve a very important function in protecting and enhancing the watershed.

In Lincolnshire, we have been careful to have protected portions of our watershed floodplains and floodways by reserving them as open space. Rivershire Park along the Des Plaines River and North Park and Florsheim Parks along the Chicago River have been restored and managed in a natural state. Each of these parks contain floodplain and floodway. They hold large quantities of water after rain or snow events. These native areas, with their deep rooted native plants, filter out pollutants and chemicals from the water further protecting our rivers’water quality. In addition, because of the natural state of these areas and the ready water source, there is significant ecological diversity of plants and wildlife in these locations.

In other areas of the Village, prior to strict floodplain and floodway regulations, development occurred in the floodplain. Because these areas are at low elevations, they are prone to flooding. Natural site features such as wetlands with native plants and hydric soils have long disappeared and they no longer can function as they should. Landowners are encouraged to plant native plants on their property. These plants will assist with absorption and filtration of water. They will help to hold soils to keep erosion and siltation from occurring in the waterway. Landowners are also encouraged to remove any obstructions which might restrict water conveyance during high water events.

Because we all live in a watershed we all contribute to the water runoff. We need to be aware of our impact. We must not wash pollutants or chemicals into the stormsewers. These stormsewers feed into our open waterways. We should strive to keep water that falls on our property on our property. This can be done through directing water runoff from our roofs, sump pumps and driveways into rain barrels, rain gardens, open vegetated swales or other features where that water can be used in a constructive way or absorbed by plants. We should consider planting plants on our property that are native to our area. They require less watering and absorb more water than many non-native plants. We need to look for ways to reduce impermeable surfaces so that water can reach the soil rather than run off causing flooding.