The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) and the Forest Preserves of Cook County are partnering on a feasibility study in southeast Cook County for a collaborative project to provide flood relief, restore the local ecology and create new outdoor recreational opportunities for neighboring communities. This 20-month study will assess the potential for the MWRD and the Forest Preserves to coordinate and share costs for the planning, design, construction and maintenance of a Deer Creek-Third Creek Reservoir. If feasible, the system would provide naturalized stormwater storage for flood-prone communities in nearby Glenwood, Ford Heights, Lansing, Thornton, South Holland, Calumet City, Dolton and unincorporated areas. The proposed project could cover nearly one-square-mile area along Deer Creek and Third Creek within the Little Calumet River Watershed near Glenwood and Ford Heights, where stormwater storage can help mitigate increasing flooding concerns. The MWRD and the Forest Preserves introduced plans for the multi-benefit flood control project on Jan. 16, at the Little Calumet River Watershed Planning Council Meeting. Project partners plan to begin outreach to municipal leaders in the fall of 2025, and once the feasibility study concludes in the fall of 2026, community meetings will be held to gather public input on the project.