Warm Water Siphon Activated to Help with Ice Jam on the Kankakee River
The Will County Emergency Management Agency reported on Jan. 17, 2024 on its Facebook page that the warm water siphon from the Dresden Nuclear Power Plant Cooling Pond has been activated. The siphon moves warmer water from the cooling pond to the Kankakee River to "reduce risk factors associated with ice jams."
The release of warm water from the cooling ponds is regulated by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, since fish are impacted by water temperature.
The Will County Emergency Management Agency also posted on January 17, 2024 that: "The City of Wilmington IL and the Will County Emergency Management Agency are advising residents of potential flash flood conditions due to ongoing ice jams on the Kankakee River. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect until temperatures rise above freezing and the river ice has fully melted. "