After a series of intense storms and flash floods overwhelmed drainage systems earlier this year, city officials in Woodstock have unveiled a major new plan to expand stormwater infrastructure and strengthen flood defenses. The proposal includes construction of a larger retention basin, installation of a new high-capacity water pump, and upgrades to critical drainage channels across the city.
The initiative, announced at a public meeting on Thursday, comes in response to repeated flooding that damaged homes, businesses, and public roads during heavy rainfall in July and August. According to the city’s engineering department, the new measures are designed to better protect low-lying neighborhoods that have faced the brunt of water overflow from the Kishwaukee River and its tributaries.
“We have reached a point where our existing stormwater system can no longer keep up with the frequency and intensity of modern weather patterns,” said City Engineer Michael Jensen. “This plan is about building resilience and ensuring that residents do not have to relive the devastating flooding we saw this summer.”
Under the proposal, the city would expand the existing detention basin near South Street, increasing its capacity by more than 40 percent to hold excess runoff during peak storms. The new water pump, expected to be installed by mid-2026, would help divert water more efficiently into the river system, preventing backups that often flood residential streets.
Mayor Ann Rosenthal praised the project as a “forward-looking investment” that addresses both immediate safety needs and long-term sustainability. “We cannot afford to treat flooding as a seasonal inconvenience,” she said. “This is a climate resilience issue that affects every part of our community, from public safety to property values.”
Funding for the project will come from a combination of municipal reserves, state disaster relief grants, and potential federal infrastructure aid. City officials estimate the total cost could exceed $18 million, depending on final design and construction bids.
Local residents who attended the meeting expressed cautious optimism. “It’s encouraging to see the city taking this seriously,” said homeowner Laura Peterson, whose basement flooded twice in the past year. “We just hope this isn’t another plan that gets delayed because of budget issues.”
Environmental experts say the plan aligns with broader trends in flood mitigation, where cities are investing in natural and engineered solutions to manage heavy rainfall more effectively. The proposed basin expansion will include new wetlands and green buffer zones designed to absorb water while supporting biodiversity.
City council members are expected to vote on the proposal later this month, with construction anticipated to begin early next year if approved. Officials emphasized that the plan will be accompanied by community outreach programs to help residents prepare for severe weather events and adopt better home flood protection practices.
For Woodstock, the initiative marks a turning point in how the city approaches water management. “We’re moving from reaction to prevention,” Jensen said. “The storms are getting stronger, and so must our infrastructure.”
