The topography of Orland Township is characterized by the undulating terrain of the Valparaiso Moraine. The landscape features a series of gentle hills, low ridges, and shallow depressions (kettles) that frequently form wetlands and small lakes.
Elevations generally range from 650 to 750 feet above sea level. The highest points in the township are typically found along the moraine ridges in the western and southern sections, while the lowest points correspond to the drainage basins and creek beds that feed into local sloughs. Unlike the flat lake plain upon which the city of Chicago is built, Orland Township's rolling topography adds visual interest to its suburban neighborhoods and provides natural contours for its numerous golf courses and forest preserves.
