Lake Manager’s Report – May 2022

1. Based on the detailed inspection report conducted by the MPOA consulting engineers last fall, repairs have begun on the Wonder Lake spillway and the wingwalls on either side of the spillway. Concrete patching on the interior of the spillway has been completed, and eyebolts have been installed to allow a safety cable to be installed along the interior walkway. Coordination is now taking place between the concrete contractor and the project structural engineer on the extent of spillway wingwall patching required.

2. It has been determined that the metal rod associated with raising and lowering the west sluicegate in the spillway had been bent by floating debris. Discussions are taking place on how and when to make that repair.

3. The design of the Merchant Creek footbridge project has been completed and is now awaiting issuance of the regulatory permits.

4. Information on an upcoming Household Hazardous Waster Collection Event on June 25th at Prairie Ridge High School is found on the following page.

McHENRY COUNTY — The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), and the McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) are pleased to announce a free one-day Household Hazardous Waste Collection event in McHenry County.

The one-day event will take place on Saturday, June 25, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Prairie Ridge High School, 6000 Dvoark Drive, Crystal Lake. All Participants must access the event by entering from Walk Up Rd. The collection event is free, and registration is open to all Illinois residents. 

Pre-registration is required to attend the event. Registration is available on the MCDH website, MCDH.info. If you do not have access to the internet or are unable to register online, please contact MCDH at (815) 334-4585 to be registered. Fifteen-minute time slots are available.  Please do not show up any earlier or later than 15 minutes of your registered time slot.

ACCEPTABLE ITEMS include chemical cleaners, oil-based paints, thinners, antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, kerosene, weed killers, insecticides and pesticides, and other similar household hazardous products. Fluorescent and other high-intensity discharge lamps/bulbs may also be brought to the collection.

ITEMS THAT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED include latex paint, explosives, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, needles/sharps, DEA controlled medications, agricultural chemicals and business wastes.

Latex paint is not a hazardous waste. Latex paint can be dried or solidified and placed in the regular garbage. Visit the McHenry County Green Guide to find locations that offer latex paint recycling. “The Department of Health is so excited to have this opportunity again this year for our residents,” said Kelli Boeckmann, MCDH Solid Waste Manager.

The Department of Health and Heritage Environmental (contractor for IEPA) has the right to refuse any waste if it is thought to be commercial, business, or agricultural.

A complete list of household hazardous wastes that are and are not accepted is available online at MCDH.info and the IEPA’s website.

For safe transport of household hazardous waste, participants are asked to:

  • Pack household hazardous waste items in a disposable box to avoid spilling during transport.
  • Keep like chemicals together and separate unlike chemicals.
  • Secure lids and make sure containers are not leaking.
  • Place box(es) of household hazardous waste in your vehicle’s empty trunk away from passengers.
  • Remain in your vehicle at all times at the collection site. Event staff will remove the household hazardous waste from the vehicle.

If you are not able to register or attend the June 25 event, there are four permanent collection facilities available for the disposal of household hazardous waste in northern Illinois. Those locations and additional information can be found on the IEPA’s website. https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/topics/waste-management/waste-disposal/ho…

2022