Drainage Engineering
Bleck's team has a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to Water Resources and Stormwater Management. Our design professionals can assist from Best Management Practices to stormwater master planning.
Expert Water Resources Management
Our design professionals can assist our clients from Best Management Practices and low impact design to stormwater master planning, retrofitting, and feasibility analysis. We understand that effective water management is critical to protecting property, preserving natural resources, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
With extensive experience in FEMA floodplain mapping, watershed modeling, and green infrastructure design, Bleck Engineering provides comprehensive solutions that balance development needs with environmental stewardship. Our team stays current with evolving regulations and best practices to deliver innovative, sustainable drainage solutions.
Our Services
Comprehensive drainage and stormwater management services
Our Work
Showcasing drainage engineering and stormwater management projects
Featured Projects
Explore our drainage engineering work across diverse project types
Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital – Campus Revitalization Project
Bleck Engineering served as Civil Engineer for the 160-acre Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Campus for over 25 years. In 2011, Bleck began the master planning process for a new 483,500 square foot state-of-the-art hospital on campus, integrating medical care with health and wellness through walking and biking trails and community spaces. Careful coordination and planning with the Construction Manager was required to maintain 24/7 access to patients, visitors, and staff while building next to an active hospital campus. Site design included a roundabout intersection, a below-grade loading dock approximately 18 feet below grade with a stormwater lift station, and a signature 400-foot long, 12.5-foot tall waterfall separating two stormwater detention ponds (pumped at 30,000 gallons per minute). Bleck utilized BIM during design for clash detection and coordination.
Fort Sheridan Ravine & Coastal Restoration
In 2015, John Keno & Company was awarded a 5-year construction contract for ravine and coastal restoration by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. John Keno in turn looked to Bleck to layout new ravine thread lines, stone step pools, rock riffles, earth retaining structures, and walkways. As part of their contract with the Army the contractor was required to submit shop drawings for riprap that were sized and signed by a professional engineer. Bleck was able to leverage their knowledge of the immediate watershed in order to get the proper sizing of the stone to keep the construction project on schedule. The Fort Sheridan Ravine and Coastal Section 506 Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration Project spanned across four main ravines and 1.5 miles of coast line on Lake Michigan.
Lake Forest Academy – Athletic Field Improvements
In the fall of 2016, BLECK was approached by Lake Forest Academy to conduct a feasibility study for converting existing natural turf playing fields on campus to synthetic turf fields. The Academy had an issue where their existing turf fields frequently flooded and they would lose days of games and practice time due to poor field conditions. After the feasibility study was completed, construction documents were created for a 3.5 acre multipurpose athletic field. The design of the proposed field cross-section enabled the client to construct the new field while meeting all water quality and run-off reduction requirements by authorities having jurisdiction. The preparation of the construction documents allowed for the leadership to present a shovel ready project to the school board. After fundraising efforts were complete the field was constructed during the summer of 2018 and was ready for students and teams to use at the start of the school year. The new multi-purpose athletic field features 6 fields that meet NFHS standards including, 2 Field Hockey Fields, 1 Boy's Lacrosse Field, 1 Girls Lacrosse Field, 1 Softball Field, and 1 Soccer Field. The new field design allows teams to practice and play almost immediately after rain events compared to the multiple day wait the teams used to have when it was a natural turf field.
Walden Ravine Stabilization
The City of Lake Forest identified a critical infrastructure issue when a headwall at the upstream end of the culvert beneath the Ringwood Road land bridge collapsed, obstructing water flow through Walden Ravine. In response, Bleck Engineering was retained to evaluate the structural stability of the ravine and conduct a comprehensive survey of both its upstream and downstream segments. The culvert, a brick structure over a century old, was in need of substantial rehabilitation. The project was approached through a multi-phase design process focused on restoring aging infrastructure, improving water quality within the ravine, and enhancing roadway safety. On the upstream side of the ravine, the design included the construction of a new concrete headwall and the restoration of approximately 130 linear feet of stream channel. This restoration incorporated hydraulic features such as rock riffles and stone step pools to moderate water flow, along with channel armoring using glacial and fluvial stone to control erosion. Toe protection was also provided, incorporating crevices designed to support amphibian habitat. Additionally, the ravine bottom was stabilized and revitalized through the use of native plantings to support long-term ecological health. To preserve the existing culvert, a spray-in-place pipe lining method was used to reinforce its structural integrity while minimizing disturbance to the surrounding environment. On the downstream side, a new storm sewer system was installed to effectively manage roadway drainage. This system included three separate drainage structures, each protected with glacial and fluvial stone to dissipate energy and prevent scour along the ravine slopes. Toe protection was further reinforced with the installation of gabion baskets and additional stone armoring, ensuring long-term slope stability. As part of the roadway improvements, approximately 300 feet of Ringwood Road was milled and resurfaced. A B6.12 combination curb and gutter system was installed along the land bridge to control stormwater runoff and reduce erosion along the ravine slopes. To improve vehicular safety, timber guardrails were placed along both sides of the roadway, addressing the steep 35-foot drop from the bridge to the ravine bed below. Following completion of the design, Bleck Engineering provided permitting assistance to the City of Lake Forest, coordinating with Lake County Stormwater Management Commission, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to secure all necessary regulatory approvals for the project.
Pioneer Park Wetland Restoration
Pioneer Park is nestled along the DuPage River in Naperville. Bleck Engineering was tasked with the design of a two phase habitat restoration plan along the river. The design work for phase one included shoreline stabilization and boulder riffle outcroppings along the DuPage River. Phase two improvements included wet prairie, riparian woodland, and non-riparian woodland restoration within the floodway of the river.
Northwestern LFH – Support Services Building
Site engineering for the new support services building and associated Parking Lot 4.
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