Frequent high-water conditions along the Chicago River placed ComEd’s TSS153 Taylor Street substation at ongoing risk, especially when elevated Lake Michigan levels coincided with major rainfall. To help protect this critical facility, our team developed a customized V3 Flood Forecasting for Resiliency system that gives ComEd up to 48 hours of advance warning before a potential flood event. We incorporated the unique operational behavior of Chicago’s lock and control structures into the predictive dataset, navigated on site construction challenges, and completed the permitting required for work along the river, resulting in a forecasting system designed to strengthen infrastructure resiliency in the heart of Chicago.

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS:

Forecasting System Development
Our team created a site specific V3FR flood forecasting system that provides ComEd with as much as 48 hours of advance notice when conditions indicate the potential for flooding at the TSS153 substation.

Incorporation of Complex River Controls
To reflect the heavily managed nature of the Chicago River, we integrated the best available information on lock operations and water level protocols so the model could better account for real world variability.

Field Adaptation During Construction
When construction uncovered a historic shipyard laydown area made of thick granite blocks and concrete just below grade, we adjusted the foundation and conduit design in the field to keep the installation moving forward.

Permitting Along the Chicago River
Because the transducer and rigid conduit were mounted on the steel sheet pile wall at the river’s edge, we secured the necessary harbor permit through the Chicago Department of Transportation to authorize the work.