Master Stormwater Management Plan

History & Background

Major flood events in 1982 and 1987, and changing floodplain regulations, prompted the Village to create a comprehensive plan to address flooding in Northbrook. In 1993, the first Master Stormwater Management Plan was approved and looked at causes of flooding, property protection programs, and projects to improve flooding conditions. As a result of the first edition of the Master Stormwater Management Plan, the Village instituted the 50/50 Private Property Drainage Improvement Program as well as the construction of the Techny Drain Water Shed basin, the Dell Road detention basin, and Underwriters Laboratory Tributary project.


Recent Updates

Since that initial plan was drafted it has been updated three times. The first update came in 1996 and the second came in 2002. These 2 updated editions included updated costs and reflected projects that been completed as well as any conditions that may have changed. The two editions included projects that have been completed including the Underwriters Tributary and initial phases of the Techny Drain project. The two editions also recommended projects such as the rear yard drainage program and the overhead sewer program.

The third and most recent update of the Master Stormwater Management Plan was completed in the fall of 2011. The projects, programs, and recommendations included in the plan were created around the Village's 4 goals for managing stormwater, the MSMP will not eliminate flooding in the Village. The goals of the 2011 Master Stormwater Management Plan in order of priority are:
  1. Reduce structure flooding/damage as a result of stormwater.
  2. Reduce street and front yard flooding to maintain access for emergency responders.
  3. Manage property flooding (rear and side yard).
  4. Manage development/redevelopment.

Master Stormwater Management Plan (MSMP)


The Village of Northbrook has completed the fourth revision of its MSMP. The plan is comprised of two documents: an executive report and a separate appendix that provides in depth history and analysis on stormwater in the Village of Northbrook and detailed information on the projects included in the plan. The projects, programs, and recommendations included in the plan were created around the Village's four goals for managing stormwater. The MSMP will not eliminate flooding in the Village.
Links to the complete MSMP, Appendix, Stormwater Segments of the Capital Improvement Plan, documentation of additional areas not included in the MSMP , and the following flood plain information:

Board of Trustee's Review

The following are links to the documentation prepared in conjunction with the Village Board of Trustee's review of the Master Stormwater Management Plan:

  1. Acronyms and Exhibit Legend (PDF)
  2. Introduction Memo (PDF)
  3. Master Stormwater Management Plan Presentation to Public Works Committee (PDF)
  1. Native Plantings Information (PDF)
  2. Project Location - Exhibit 1 and Project Ranking Table 1 (PDF)
  3. Stormwater Management Plan - Mission and Executive Summary (PDF)

Individual Projects Included in the MSMP:

The following is a list of projects included in the 2011 MSMP and its subsequent addendums. Each project is briefly described with links, as applicable, to more information.

Watershed Projects:

Watershed projects are defined as projects which target large drainage problems and typically provide benefits to the great number of residents. 

  •  Project 1: Wescott Park Storage - Complete. This project involved the installation of a 23 acre-foot underground storage basin underneath Wescott Park. This project was completed in 2017.
  • Project 2 - Shermer Road Overflow Sewer - Complete. This project involved installing a flood relief storm sewer from Shermer Road to the West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River. This project was completed in 2016.
  • Project 3 - Techny Drain Phase IV - Complete. This project involved a relief storm sewer along Pfingsten Road and installing new pipe between Fieldwood Drive and Pfingsten Road. This project was completed in 2012.

Neighborhood Projects:

Neighborhood projects targeted smaller drainage problems and typically involve areas of one or two blocks which experience repeated flooding.

  • Project 4 - Cedar Lane - Complete. This project involved the installation of storm sewer from Cedar Lane directly to the West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River to relieve flooding in the 800 block of Cedar. This project was completed in 2013.
  • Project 5 - Cherry Lane Underpass - Complete. This project involved installation of additional inlets and storm sewer to bring relieve flooding at the Cherry Lane Underpass. 
  • Project 6 - Church Street - This project involves constructing additional inlets and a flood overflow storm sewer from Church Street to the West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River.
  • Project 7 - Curb Failure at 1941 Cherry Lane  - Complete. This project involved replacement of existing failed curb at this address. 
  • Project 8 - Dehne’s Subdivision - Complete. This project involves improving the conveyance in the Dehne Subdivision by replacing damaged culverts and regrading the ditches along Dehne and Brentwood Roads.
  • Project 9 - Dundee Road/Skokie Boulevard - Complete. This project involved improving drainage capacity at this intersection by adding inlets and dredging from drainage ditches.
  • Project 10 - Keystone Road/Chartres Drive - Complete. This project involved constructing a new low flow storm sewer from Keystone Road to West Park and expanding the existing detention basin. This project was completed in 2017.
  • Project 11 - Northbrook East - Complete. This project involved constructing a detention basin to help drain at the intersection of Midway and Whitfeld Road. This project was completed in 2016.
  • Project 12 - Northbrook Manor - This project involves constructing a relief sewer along Spruce Street to the West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River.
  • Project 13 - Ridge Road/Lee Road - Complete. This project involved improve inlet capacity of Ridge Road and and constructing a larger storm sewer.
  • Project 14 - Shermer Road Outlet - Complete. This project involved improving conveyance to the Illinois Road outlet by making improvements to the existing outlet.
  • Project 15 - Shermer Road Underpass - This project involves improving the Shermer Road underpass by installing a new storm sewer and additional inlets.
  • Project 16 - Sunny Acres - Complete. This project involved constructing a detention basin and installing a new collection system to drain Pamella and Constant Lanes. 
  • Project 17 - Sunset Lane - Complete. This project involved construction a low flow storm sewer from Sunset Lane to the expanded Commercial Avenue basin.
  • Project 18 - Techny Basin Expansion - Complete. This work included expanding the existing basin at Glenbrook North High School.
  • Project 19 - Weller’s Subdivision - This work involves constructing a replacement low flow storm sewer from Weller to Keystone and extending it to the northwest corner of Pfingsten and Keystone. 
  • Project 20 - Western Avenue/Oak Avenue - This project involves constructing an oversized storm sewer along Oak Street to serve as underground detention and constructing a new detention basin.
  • Project 21 - Williamsburg Drive - Scheduled. This project involves constructing an overflow relief storm sewer between Williamsburg Drive/Old Post Road to an expanded Revere detention basin. Please see the most recent version of the Capital Improvement Plan for details.
  • Project 22 - Woodlawn Road - Complete. This project involved improving conveyance by adding inlet structures and regrading of ditches.
  • Project 23 - Blackthorn Lane - Complete. This project involves replacing the existing sewer system and increasing inlet capacity on the 1000 and 1100 blocks of Blackthorn. 
  • Project 24 - Brittany Lane - To Be Completed in 2020. This project involves supplementing the existing storm sewer on Brittany Lane and adding additional inlets. 
  • Project 25 - Dehne Road-Glendale Avenue - Complete. This project involved increasing swale capacity on Glendale Avenue, regrading of ditches to improve conveyance and installing new storm sewer to restore positive flow.
  • Project 26 - Landwehr Road-Sunset Trail - Scheduled. This project involves replacing the existing sewer along Landwehr and Floral to improve conveyance at the intersection of Landwehr and Sunset Trail.
  • Project 27 - Longvalley Trail-Longvalley Court - Complete. This project involves improving conveyance at this intersection by installing higher capacity inlets. 
  • Project 28 - Surrey Lane - To Be Completed in 2020. This project involves constructing a new storm sewer to the existing sewer on Lee Road to drain the cul-de-sac on Surrey. Please see the most recent version of the Capital Improvement Plan for details. 
  • Project 29 - First Steet-Center Avenue - Scheduled. This project involves constructing a relief storm sewer to drain the backyards of several properties located near this intersection. Please see the most recent version of the Capital Improvement Plan for detail.
  • Project 30 - Wendy Drive - To Be Completed in 2020. This project involves reducing flooding on Wendy Drive by improving inlet capacity and installing larger storm sewer. Please see the most recent version of the Capital Improvement Plan for detail.
  • Project 31 - Willow Creek - Scheduled. This project involves reducing street flooding in the Willow Creek subdivision through various means. Please see the most recent version of the Capital Improvement Plan for detail.