This year the Chicagoland area received almost a foot and a half more snow than last year and above average rainfall is predicted as we move into Spring.* This is certain to test our culverts, conveyances, and Stormwater BMPs. Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) are physical structures (like raingardens, bioswales and retention ponds) designed to manage the quality and quantity of stormwater runoff.
Inspecting Culverts and Stormwater BMPs before the Spring ice melt is critical because snowmelt creates the first major runoff event of the year. This can overwhelm unchecked systems and lead to unexpected and even costly surprises.
Here are the top 3 Reasons to schedule your culvert and stormwater BMPs inspections now:
3. Protect Water Quality
The first flush of snowmelt carries oil residue. road salt, heavy metals, and trash. If BMPs aren’t functioning properly, pollutants go directly into our streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, or groundwater.
💧 This can lead to regulatory violations or fines.
2. Avoid Flooding & Damage
When ice melts, runoff happens fast. If your BMPs are clogged with sand, salt residue, leaves, trash, or winter debris, water can’t flow properly.
💧 Result: localized flooding, erosion, property damage, and emergency repairs — which are far more expensive than a simple inspection.
1. Prevention is Cheaper than Repairs
Typical low-cost preventive actions include clearing inlet grates, checking outlet pipes, inspecting erosion control, confirming valves and weirs function.
💧Small fixes before melt = cheap / Emergency repairs during active flooding = expensive.
Click here to schedule your Culvert and Stormwater BMPs inspections today!
Next Steps
Learn more about different Storm Water features from ILM Environments:
*Resources: 2024 Snowfall, Current Snowfall, March 2026 predictions.
