May 21st, 2004 Storm Event
Major storm and runoff events continued to periodically plague the North Branch of the Ecorse Creek, but the storm event that occurred at the end of May in 2004 ended up being a major turning point for the entire North Branch of the Ecorse Creek watershed, and everyone living and working within it. On May 21st, the area received over 4 inches of rain in one day. According to flood reports and the USGS gauge, the creek rose nearly six feet in a matter of three hours in the City of Dearborn Heights. Severe overland flooding occurred and over 1,500 residential dwellings were flooded. Shortly after, the City of Dearborn Heights petitioned the Wayne County Drain Commissioner for maintenance and improvements of the creek under Chapter 8 of the Michigan Drain Code. This was the beginning of a major effort to develop an ultimate solution to the area’s flooding problems.
