Background
The Lake County Highway System is rapidly urbanizing with a daily travel volume
of over 3.2 million vehicle miles traveled. This urbanization has resulted
in an increase in the number and type of storm sewer assets associated with
County highway facilities.

The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) prides itself on its proactive
approach to maintenance of its infrastructure. The LCDOT knows that a
well-designed GIS can save valuable time and money. Its current GIS centralizes
and computerizes much of the mapping and information that the County uses on
a daily basis.

Challenge
Create a stormwater maintenance plan, to effectively manage the growing
stormwater system into the future.  

Solution
Compile a Storm GIS to add to its already well-established GIS system.This data
collection project took an accurate inventory of the storm sewer assets associated
with the County highway system. The Storm GIS was designed to meet the
following goals:
    • address the NPDES Phase II requirements,
    • provide a good basis for stormwater maintenance, and
    • establish an excellent foundation for stormwater asset management.

Results
The County now has a centralized database with extensive information about their
storm sewers. With just a few keystrokes and a mouse click, the following information
is at the County’s fingertips:
   • Pipe ID (Comprised of Upstream and Downstream Structure ID)
   • Description (Main, Lateral, etc.)
   • Size
   • Shape
   • Length
   • Material Typ
   • Start Node
   • End Node
   • Flow Direction
   • Comments
Storm Structures – Inlets and Manholes (Nodes)
   • Structure ID
   • Grate Type
   • Structure Type
   • Size (Diameter)
   • GPS Date and Time
   • Latitude
   • Longitude
   • Structure Material
   • Structure Condition
   • Field Notes
   • Comments

The addition of storm sewer assets to Lake County’s GIS system gives the
County one more tool to efficiently, accurately, and cost-effectively plan for the
future of the County.