Lake County, Illinois begins construction on Bangs Lake to alleviate flooding

The Illinois Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC), along with the Lake County Board and the Village of Wauconda, announced the beginning of construction on the Bangs Lake Outfall Improvements Project with a ceremonial groundbreaking on June 6, 2025.

The project will help alleviate flooding to more than 70 properties and eight roads in Wauconda.

The Bangs Lake outfall includes 6,450 feet of storm sewer and channels from the Bangs Lake outfall structure at Phil’s Beach to the municipality limits at IL Route 176. The project will include almost 4,000 feet of stream improvements, along with a new lake outfall structure, retaining wall, storm sewer and box culverts.

These improvements will help manage high water levels in Bangs Lake by upgrading the outfall control structure and related infrastructure. Previously, the lake level was managed by manually adding and removing bars to the outfall gate. The new system will allow for remote monitoring of the lake level and managing the gate.

There will also be a positive environmental impact by enhancing the health of the lake and stream ecosystems. Stabilizing streambanks and shorelines will reduce erosion and sediment build-up. Additionally, restoration efforts will include planting native vegetation to further improve water quality and support long-term ecological balance.

Many components of existing infrastructure have reached the end of their useful life and aged to the point of deterioration, needing replacement. Several areas and streets within the Village are known to flood during heavy rain events. Local roads have been closed 40 times due to flooding in the last several years. Area residents' homes are regularly impacted by flooding, with it occurring up to 15 times a year in the last decade.

This project is partially funded by a $2.5 million Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) grant. Additional funding is provided by local sponsor the Village of Wauconda, who contributed $266,387. Lake County was awarded a $122 million appropriation from the DCEO to support regional stormwater initiatives to reduce flooding and improve infrastructure for hard-hit communities countywide.

SMC finished 13 DCEO funded projects from 2022 to 2024 with the initial $30 million in funding from this appropriation. The Bangs Lake project is one of 16 projects to be funded by the second $30 million in funding. Upcoming project locations include Buffalo Grove, Highland Park, North Chicago, Round Lake Beach and Zion.