MWRD, South Holland and Cook County to celebrate completion of Thorn Ditch flood mitigation project

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WHO: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), Village of South Holland and Cook County

WHAT: MWRD, in partnership with the Village of South Holland and Cook County, will hold a ribbon cutting celebrating the completion of the Thorn Ditch Flood Mitigation Project at Maicach Park.

WHERE: Maicach Park, 921 E. 165th St., South Holland, Ill.

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, at 10 a.m.

MWRD, South Holland and Cook County officials will commemorate the completion of a flood mitigation project eight years in the making that is designed to improve stormwater management and build resilience along Thorn Ditch.

The $5.8 million initiative replaced existing culverts and constructed stormwater storage at Maicach Park and Pioneer Park. The project provides 11.8 acre-feet of stormwater storage, equivalent to more than 3.8 million gallons, helping to reduce the risk of flooding along Thorn Ditch. To add more stormwater protection among other benefits, 50 trees were also planted.

The endeavor was partially funded through the MWRD's Stormwater Partnership Program, with additional support from Cook County through the American Rescue Plan Act. A second phase of the Thorn Ditch Flood Mitigation Project is being planned to replace the longest remaining culvert along Thorn Ditch, between Dobson Avenue and Greenwood Avenue.