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DuPage County Drains Wood Dale Reservoir to Recover Missing Swimmer

The Forest Preserve District has reduced water levels by nearly 18 inches to aid sonar-equipped vessels scanning the reservoir bed for the missing swimmer.

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Wood Dale Fire Department personnel search at the Wood Dale Itasca Reservoir in the DuPage County Forest Preserve on Aug. 6, 2025, where Hipolito “Polo” Hernandez went missing Tuesday. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Overview

  • Officials began draining the Wood Dale/Itasca Reservoir Wednesday evening to lower water levels and support the ongoing recovery mission.
  • The Illinois Department of Natural Resources deployed a sonar-equipped robotic watercraft alongside DuPage County emergency divers and local dive teams.
  • Search efforts shifted from a rescue to a recovery operation after crews paused at 10 p.m. Tuesday and resumed searching Wednesday morning.
  • The basin is a stormwater retention facility for Salt Creek where swimming is prohibited and powerful drains pose serious hazards.
  • Family members of the missing man have remained on site throughout the coordinated multi-agency operation.