Stormwater Management

Great Lake at SunsetEffective, sustainable stormwater management is a major goal of Village leadership. Flooding is not a new problem in Winnetka, as it is naturally a lowland marsh environment: various initiatives to hold or redirect stormwater when major storms occur have been implemented in the Village since the 1930s. Today, the Village is undertaking a large-scale initiative that will result in a major change in the way stormwater is handled.


In 2016, the Council approved a stormwater management plan for west and southwest Winnetka (see below) and has worked toward stormwater solutions to date. Given the progress that has been made in western Winnetka, in April 2024, the Village entered into an agreement with Strand Associates, Inc.  to perform a stormwater management study of eastern Winnetka. The intent of this study is to improve stormwater management, reduce stormwater flooding, and improve water quality at the Lake Michigan outfalls. This study pursues a holistic approach, including consideration of grey and green infrastructure, conveyance, storage, infiltration, individual protection retrofit programs, and a host of other traditional and emerging stormwater management technologies.

East Side Project Documents

  1. February 10, 2026 Combined East and West Side Projects Presentation to Village Council (PDF)
  2. January 14, 2025 Presentation to Village Council (PDF)
  3. September 9, 2024 Presentation to Village Council (PDF)
  4. R-39-2024: Approving an Extension Agreement for Professional Services with Strand Associates (PDF)

West Side Project

The Village built stormwater collection and holding tanks under Duke Childs Field (New Trier’s athletic fields), the Winnetka Park District’s golf course, and behind Crow Island School. During major storm events, water will be conveyed/drain into the tanks and be slowly released into the Skokie Lagoons. This water detention/drainage system will alleviate intense flooding experienced by many Winnetka residents.

In order to undertake necessary construction, the Village secured Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) with New Trier, District 36, and the Winnetka Park District, as well as project approval from the Forest Preserves of Cook County and the Army Corps of Engineers.

West Side Historical Background

Stormwater discussions had many iterations, as Village leadership and residents discussed options to assess whether they were feasible, cost effective, and as non-invasive as possible.

  • A tunnel project along Willow Road was discussed and set aside due to cost concerns
  • A Stormwater Master Plan was completed in 2014, following work with Baxter and Woodman consultants, to provide a comprehensive policy to guide efforts in flood management, stormwater drainage (detention, retention, and sewers), stormwater quality, floodplain management, green infrastructure, and wastewater
  • The Village engaged Strand Associates in 2015 to examine options for flood risk alleviation that are technically and scientifically sound, sustainable, and cost-effective, resulting in the current plan and construction initiatives. This study included intensive data gathering, public meetings, and open houses. A number of possible stormwater detention locations were discussed, resulting in the current-day plan of Duke Childs Field, behind Crow Island School, and underneath the Park District’s Golf course
  • Pump stations were constructed in 2014 and 2015 at Ash Street and Winnetka Avenue, respectively, increasing storm sewer drainage/discharge capacity by 50% and improving flow in existing upstream sewers
  • Storm detention sewers were built, updated, or installed in 2013-14 in several locations in the Village

West Side Project Documents

  1. February 10, 2026 Combined East and West Side Projects Presentation to Village Council (PDF)