Shorewood Forest Improvements

Shorewood Forest Subdivision – Storm Water Infrastructure Study (UPDATED 5/17/2023)

The Shorewood Forest Storm Water Infrastructure Study presents the results of a comprehensive study of the stormwater infrastructure within the Shorewood Forest Subdivision completed by Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. (CBBEL). This study was undertaken on behalf of the Porter County Department of Development & Storm Water Management (Department), who is responsible for the inspection, repair, maintenance, construction, and reconstruction of regulated stormwater and drainage infrastructure throughout Unincorporated Porter County. The purpose of this effort was to assess the condition and performance of the existing stormwater infrastructure, identify problem areas and concerns, and analyze potential solutions to alleviate those issues. This report will serve as a guide for future stormwater infrastructure repair, maintenance, construction and reconstruction activities throughout the subdivision.

The initial phase of this study involved an extensive data collection effort to develop a comprehensive inventory of the various stormwater infrastructure components within the subdivision. Shorewood Forest has a unique blend of gray and green infrastructure serving the subdivision. In addition to traditional storm sewers and culverts, the subdivision includes numerous ravines, wetland areas, and Lake Louise. A database of the existing storm sewers, culverts, ravines and other infrastructure was compiled from a variety of sources, including: construction plans/as-built drawings, Porter County Geographic Information System (GIS) data, field survey performed by both Department and CBBEL staff, maintenance records from the Shorewood Forest Property Owner’s Association (POA) and field reconnaissance performed by both Department and CBBEL staff.

Public input was a significant component of the development of this study. A virtual open house and an online flood questionnaire was made available to residents in the Fall of 2020 through the Department website. This outreach effort generated over 60 responses and numerous one-on-one resident meetings. A variety of drainage problems and concerns were reported by the residents, including: structural and roadway flooding, nuisance flooding in backyards, sinkholes, and overall concerns regarding the function and health of the existing ravines and Lake Louise.

As the physical layout of the stormwater drainage system and the scope of drainage concerns became known, the next phase of the study was to assess the function and condition of that infrastructure. This effort involved the visual inspection of the numerous ravines, storm sewers, and culverts to identify locations of deterioration or failure. In addition, the Department hired Accu-Dig, Inc. (Accu-Dig) to televise the entire storm sewer/culvert network within the subdivision so that the internal condition of each pipe segment could be assessed. As a result of this effort, each pipe segment was assigned a numeric rating based on its current condition.

Additionally, an XP-SWMM hydrologic and hydraulic analysis of the subdivision’s drainage system was developed to analyze the function of the existing drainage network, verify the reported flood problem areas, and identify the cause(s) of those issues.

A total of 17 drainage issues were identified as candidates for capital improvement projects. While there are many drainage issues located throughout the study area, locations involving structural flooding, significant roadway flooding, and severe pipe failure/ravine erosion were given priority as they involve public safety concerns. Where appropriate, the XP-SWMM modeling was used to simulate proposed drainage improvements to alleviate the existing drainage issues throughout the study area.

A conceptual engineer’s estimate of probable cost for each of the proposed drainage improvement alternatives was prepared. These long-term capital improvements projects range in cost from $18,000 to $648,000 and total approximately $2.7M.

In addition to the capital improvement projects, there are a number of widespread problems that can be addressed as part of a subdivision-wide program. Approximately 56% of the existing storm sewers/culverts throughout the subdivision were determined to be in either poor or moderate condition; in addition to being a public safety concern, the poor condition also causes the material loss below/around each pipe that is eventually deposited into Lake Louise. The cost to repair these storm sewers (either through lining or replacement) is estimated to be approximately $2.5M. Additionally, restoration efforts are required to address the numerous stretches of ravines that have experiences erosion, head-cutting, and slope failure. These ravine restoration efforts are estimated to be approximately $6.6M. Lastly, stormwater runoff from each residential lot is also a contributing point source of erosion along the ravines; this study outlines best management practices (BMPs) that can be implemented by individual property owners to better manage stormwater on their property and improve the health of the ravines and Lake Louise.

Below is the final report and associated appendices for the Shorewood Forest Storm Water Infrastructure Study.

Shorewood Forest Storm Water Infrastructure Study

Appendix 1: Pipe Assessment Supporting Documentation

Appendix 2: Hydrologic Parameter Calculations

Appendix 3: Conceptual Cost Estimates

Appendix 4: Previous Studies

Shorewood Forest Subdivision – Storm Water Infrastructure Study (UPDATED 11/4/2021)

On October 27 & November 2, 2021,  public meetings were held to meet with the residents of Shorewood Forest subdivision to report on the work the Department has completed to date and to hear about the concerns regarding existing storm water and drainage issues, particularly those that may have not been yet identified. 

Below are exhibits from the public meetings that display problem areas, storm water concern reports, infrastructure conditions, and conceptual project locations.  Since these exhibits are conceptual, they do not represent the final projects, plans or guarantee any storm water improvements shown. 

Shorewood Forest Drainage Exhibits

Shorewood Forest Conceptual Project List

Shorewood Forest Pipe Condition Assessment Exhibits

Shorewood Forest Sewer Televising Exhibit

Shorewood Forest Subdivision – Storm Water Infrastructure Study (UPDATED 12/7/2020)

The Shorewood Forest Subdivision Infrastructure Study has been progressing with the assistance of Christopher B. Burke Engineering serving as the consultant. Hard copy mailings have been distributed to all Shorewood residents announcing the study and inviting the public to view an informative presentation and encouraging feedback. Residents have submitted reports sharing neighborhood drainage concerns which have been examined by the consultant. 

In addition, surveys of storm sewer pipes, structures, and ravine areas are being obtained to better understand infrastructure locations and the extent of deterioration. This examination work will continue with a television camera inspection of storm sewer pipes and structures in the weeks ahead. Residents are encouraged to contact the Department and share concerns to assist with the study. 

Shorewood Forest Subdivision – Storm Water Infrastructure Study (UPDATED 8/25/2020)

Porter County is in the planning and assessment stage of an important effort to repair, rehabilitate and reconstruct the storm water management system serving the Shorewood Forest subdivision, which is located in unincorporated Porter County, and is bounded by US 30 to the north, CR 350 W to the east, CR 100 N to the south, and CR 500 W to the west.

 Shorewood Forest encompasses an area of approximately 920 acres developed over the course of 30 years, from the mid-1970s through the mid-2000s.  The subdivision includes 960 residential lots, numerous common areas, and Lake Louise.  Storm water infrastructure within the subdivision ranges from 20 to 40 years old, with corrugated metal pipe (CMP) storm sewers serving the older parts of the subdivision and reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) storm sewers serving the newer parts.

Many repairs and modifications have been made to the infrastructure over the years and portions of the subdivision being served by CMP storm sewers are beginning to exhibit signs of deterioration and the need for infrastructure rehabilitation and/or reconstruction.  Several ravines can be found throughout the subdivision, many of which are showing signs of degradation such as downcutting and widening.  A significant amount of off-site drainage makes its way to and through the subdivision’s ravines and storm water infrastructure and into Lake Louise.

Based on the results of questionnaires distributed during the completion of the 2010 comprehensive drainage plan, and reports of storm water concerns received by the Department since 2016, residents are concerned about a variety of storm water-related issues in the subdivision, ranging from sediment loads making their way into Lake Louise, to the health of the ravines, to a variety of minor drainage and flooding issues throughout the subdivision.

The Shorewood Forest Subdivision Storm Water Infrastructure Study will document and evaluate existing problems and concerns, analyze potential solutions, and serve as the foundation for future storm water infrastructure repair, maintenance, construction and reconstruction efforts throughout the subdivision.  

 Watch the presentation of the Shorewood Forest Infrastructure Study!

 Click here if you'd like to report a storm water concern to our department! 

DISCLAIMER: Project specifics and dates subject to change during the project planning and design process. Please contact project manager for any updates that may not be included here.