PROJECT UPDATE: 
Grassmere, Haverton, and Oaksbury (GHO) Drainage Improvements Project

August 1, 2025

Background

For many years, the Village has experienced flooding on Haverton Way, IL 59, Grassmere Farms, and in the Oaksbury Subdivisions during heavy rain events. The cause of the flooding is due to failed drainage systems that traverse private property. These drainage systems that are mostly open drainage channels, old drain tiles, and swales through the Grassmere Farm subdivision, Haverton on the Pond subdivision, and Oaksbury subdivisions. These stormwater conveyance facilities have been failing for many years. 

In addition, the stormwater culvert under IL 59 has failed and is preventing storm water from passing through the culvert (west to east). Instead, the stormwater overtops the IL 59 pavement when the storage capacity of the Haverton on the Pond detention area is exceeded on the west side of IL 59. The private drainage systems on the east side of IL 59 responsible for providing stormwater conveyance from IL 59 east and northward to IL 22 have degraded and are contributing to the rise in water levels in this area, increasing the standing water on private property and public streets. 

The Oaksbury Subdivision, more specifically, Duck Pond Ln. and private property is inundated with stormwater from time to time during heavy rain events. This is caused by undersized stormwater conveyance channels downstream of the Oaksbury Pond located at the end of Duck Pond Ln. 

Why is the Village Constructing This Project?

The area impacted by the flooding is significant and encompasses more than 300 acres and impacts more than 40 parcels including properties outside of the Village of North Barrington. A project of this magnitude can only be accomplished by a partnership with multiple governmental agencies and stakeholders. No homeowner’s association or private property owner can make the necessary changes to improve the regional flooding that is occurring. 

The flooding is causing a significant safety concern for motorists on IL 59. The flooding is causing public infrastructure to fail, namely Haverton Way in the Haverton on the Pond subdivision, and IL Route 59. This past winter, IL 59 was closed for seven (7) days due to ice formation on the highway due to the failed stormwater culvert under IL 59. Certain private property owners are also seeing a rise in water levels on their property. 

It should be noted that when the project is completed, NO additional storm water will be conveyed to properties in Oaksbury Subdivision or to downstream property owners. The flow of storm water into the Oaksbury area is restricted by the existing storm water restrictor which was constructed in the northern berm structure at the north end of the Grassmere Farms detention area. The restrictor controls the volume of stormwater discharge which is conveyed to a stormwater box culvert under IL 22 The water flows south to north. The restricted flow under the IL 22 has been in place for many years and is not being altered. 

Project Status

A draft of the design engineering plans is completed, and the Village has received the first round of comments from the two (2) regulatory agencies: US Army Corp of Engineers and the Illinois Department of Transportation. The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission must issue a permit for the proposed work. 

The Village expects approval of the plans at the end of 2025 at which time the Village will publicly bid the project. 

The overall project design is dependent on securing 14 easements from private property owners. The Village has secured 10 and are in discussion on the remaining 4 easements. 

The project start date is targeted for Spring/Summer 2026.