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Fox River Watershed Project Status

Projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

1 MCHENRY AND ALGONQUIN DAM/FOX RIVER

 (Continuing Authority - Sec. 205)

 The project calls for increased gating capacity at the McHenry and Algonquin dams to allow greater management of the Chain-of-Lakes for flood control purposes. With the new gates, more water could be moved downstream in anticipation of a flood event. The effect would be to reduce water levels above the dam, creating storage which could be used to reduce the impacts of a large storm. Flood damages would also be reduced downstream by reducing the peak flow. Flood damages would be reduced above Algonquin Dam through the Chain-of-Lakes area. The local sponsor is the State of Illinois, Department of Natural Resources.

COST: Maintenance: Office of Water Resources

STATUS: Construction scheduled for 1998-2000.

Projects of the Office of Water Resources

2 WAUBANSEE CREEK LEVEE & RESERVOIR

 FLOOD STORAGE: 50 acre-feet

 LEVEE: 3,000 feet

 FLOOD PROTECTION TO: 60 homes in Park View Estate Subdivision, Village of Montgomery on Fox River

 COST: Construction - $914,000 (OWR)

 LAND - $119,000 (Montgomery)

 MAINTENANCE: Montgomery

 STATUS: Completed in 1979

3 OTTER CREEK CHANNEL IMPROVEMENT

 LENGTH: 5,295 feet

 FLOOD PROTECTION TO: City of Elgin

 COST: Construction - $281,200 (OWR)

 LAND - City of Elgin

 MAINTENANCE: City of Elgin

 STATUS: Completed in 1982

4 INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR AND CHANNEL MODIFICATION

 PHASE I—Reservoir

 PHASE II—Channel Improvement

 FLOOD STORAGE: 310 acre-feet

 CHANNEL LENGTH: 8,400 feet

 FLOOD PROTECTION TO: 130 homes in Aurora and Aurora Township

 COST: Construction -

  Phase I - $3,697,900 (OWR)

  Phase II - $1,100,000 (Estimated)

 LAND - 55 acres, $600,000 (Estimate, City of Aurora)

 MAINTENANCE: City of Aurora

 STATUS: Phase I completed in 1994

 STATUS: Phase II scheduled for construction in 1998-99

Projects of the Lake County Stormwater Management

5 WILLIAMS PARK FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT

 PURPOSE: Improve drainage, and remove homes from the floodplain

 PHASE I: Berm installation on hold

 PHASE II: Home buyout scheduled for completion in 1989/99

 FLOOD PROTECTION TO: Williams Park

  Subdivision, Wauconda

 PHASE I CONSTRUCTION - $600,000

 PHASE II COST: $480,000 (75% FEMA, 25% Local)

 MAINTENANCE: Williams Park Improvement Association

 STATUS: Phase I on hold; Phase II scheduled for 1999

Fox River Watershed Program Status

Floodwater Management Planning

The Corps of Engineers investigated the water resource problems and needs of the Fox River mainstem to provide a plan for developing, utilizing, and conserving the river’s water and related land resources. The Fox River Basin has a drainage area of 2,580 square miles and includes parts of both Illinois and Wisconsin. The character of the basin varies from resort-type developments in the north to predominantly rural areas in the south. The Fox River flows through the Chain-of-Lakes area, which contains several inter-connected lakes in northern Illinois.

Among the study’s objectives were flood control, floodplain management, wastewater management, including storm water runoff, regional water supply, water quality control, recreation, fish and wildlife conservation protection and enhancement of aesthetic qualities, and other measures for enhancement and protection of the environment on the river.

The feasibility report was completed in 1996 with recommendations for two 50’-wide hydraulically operated gates, one at Algonquin Dam and one at McHenry Dam, to allow greater management of the Chain of Lakes for flood control purposes. Flood damages would be reduced above Algonquin Dam through the Chain of Lakes area. Construction is expected to begin in 1998.

Floodplain Regulations

The Illinois Office of Water Resources regulates floodways throughout the Fox River Watershed in Illinois. Construction proposed within floodway areas must be permitted by OWR and not have significant adverse impacts.

DuPage County Stormwater Management Commission) and the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission are implementing a program to study, define, remap and protect the floodplains and natural depressional storage area within the County. Off-site increases in runoff are not allowed. Of the 26 sub-watersheds in Lake County , 7 are in some phase of study. DuPage County has already implemented these regulations. (See DuPage River writeup, page 44)

Stream Maintenance

DuPage County Stormwater Management Division has implemented a stream maintenance program on main stem streams and tributaries in DuPage County. The program goals are to protect the hydraulic capacity of the streams in such a manner to also protect other stream corridor use such as habitat protection, water quality, aesthetics, and recreation. Streams are inspected and videotaped. Cleaning consists of debris removal from the entire stream corridor, selective cutting and pruning. Woody debris is used by the County’s solid waste composting program.

Land Protection Program

DuPage County Stormwater Management Committee and Lake County Stormwater Management Commission are implementing a sediment and erosion control regulatory program within the respective counties. The regulations are embodied in the Stormwater Ordinance and will regulate construction activities to reduce erosion and sedimentation. The Lake County Watershed Development Ordinance (WDO) is being enforced throughout the watershed.

Fox River Ecosystem Partnership

The Fox River Ecosystem Partnership (FREP) formed in September 1996.  The partnership is part of the  Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation 2000 program,  a six-year State of Illinois initiative to enhance nature protection and outdoor recreation by reversing the decline of the state's ecosystems. The formation of FREP was initiated by the Fox Waterway Agency and Kane and Kendall County Forest Preserve Districts inviting partners to come together for the purposes of watershed planning. FREP brings together a diversity of partners throughout the watershed, from interested citizens to grass roots organizations, and governmental agencies.

In January 1998 a watershed planning committee formed to initiate the creation of a watershed plan for the 1,720 square mile watershed.  Six general areas of concern were identified by this committee including: habitat, water quality, stormwater, recreation, land- use and education. Six action teams under these headings have the task of  making recommendations to address concerns within their area. The Watershed Planning Committee will utilize the recommendations of the Action Teams to formulate the watershed plan.

Kane County Stormwater Management Planning Committee

Stream Maintenance

Kane County Department of Environmental Management is implementing a stream maintenance program on main stem streams and tributaries in Kane County. The program goals are to protect the hydraulic capacity of the streams in such a manner to also protect other stream corridor uses such as habitat protection, water quality, aesthetics, and recreation. Streams are inspected and videotaped. Cleaning consists of debris removal from the entire stream corridor.

Blackberry Creek Watershed Plan

Overview: Blackberry Creek is a high priority watershed in Kane and Kendall Counties due to its proximity as the next major watershed in those counties to be rapidly urbanized in the next decade. Four existing flood prone residential areas have already been identified in the watershed. A Resource Planning Committee has been formed to develop a long range plan to better manage stormwater, flood damage reduction plans, groundwater quality, aesthetics and environmental concerns in the watershed. Eight Technical Advisory Committees have been established to investigate flow rates, channel modifications, wetlands, natural watershed storage, detention, regulatory standards and jurisdictions, erosion, sedimentation and flooding in existing subdivisions. Preliminary recommendations include seeking stormwater authority for Kendall County, developing new hydrologic and hydraulic models for the watershed, creating historical photo mosaics, preparing new photo based topographic mapping, defining new regulatory release rates, adopting model ordinances and preserving natural areas. The Resource Planning Committee is to have a draft report prepared by January 1, 1998.

Waubansee Creek Watershed Plan

The Waubansee Creek Watershed spans over four counties including DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will.  It is a watershed in transition from an agricultural to urban land use.  Flooding concerns resulting from the July 1996 rains peaked local interest and the Waubonsie Creek Watershed Planning Committee was formed.  Their mission is to increase awareness in the watershed, reduce flooding, and address multiple environmental concerns by developing a comprehensive conservation plan for the watershed.  Over the past year, they have identified the resource concerns, formulated desired future conditions, held a tour of the watershed, distributed a resolution requesting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to study and remap the watershed, formulated a public outreach strategy, sought out sources of funding, and provided the plan of work for the Technical Advisory committee (TAC).  The TAC has been reviewing the release rates in order to give a recommendation, facilitated the installation of streamgages by OWR, evaluating the feasibility of retrofitting existing basins, surveying the creek stability and assessment of on-stream storage, looking for possible native plant demonstration areas, developing a Parkview Estates issue paper addressing the potential buyout of flood affected areas in the subdivision, and developing watershed environmental guidelines which will contain strategies and recommendations for developers, municipalities, and others in the watershed.  The Waubansee Creek Watershed Committee anticipates completion of the Watershed Plan by fall 1998.

Tyler Creek Watershed Plan

Ten different organizations working throughout the watershed have united to prepare a Vision for Tyler Creek. This document will reflect the current diverse functional values of the watershed and the conceptual action plan to improve the entire watershed.

Mill Creek Watershed Plan

The city of Geneva is spearheading an effort to preserve a large tract of land for open space, improvement of water quality for Mill Creek, wetland banking, and stormwater detention. This effort was approved by over 80% of the voters via referendum.

Ferson-Otter Creek Watershed

Activities on the Ferson-Otter Creek Watershed include a Wetland Bank for otter Creek and a Wetland Bank for Ferson Creek. The St. Charles Park District is also spearheading a geomorphological study on sections of Ferson Creek. It is also anticipated that Vision for Ferson-Otter Creek will be developed similar to that of Tyler Creek.

Lake County Stormwater Management Planning Committee

Squaw Creek Watershed Management Plan

 OVERVIEW: This urbanizing watershed in the western half of the county is a priority for SMC and includes the areas of Round Lake, Mundelein, Wauconda, and Grayslake. Updated topography and aerial photography has been obtained. The development of a model is underway. The final management plan will include the Eagle Creek and Round Lake drain areas, and include natural resource protection and enhancement recommendations, flood control capital projects, and possible funding sources. The final management plan will include the Eagle Creek and Round Lake Drain areas, and include natural resource protection, and possible funding source identification.

 COMPLETED: Study began in 1996; scheduled for adoption in 1999.

 COST: $350,000 ($195,000 Illinois Department of Transportation, field survey from Illinois Department of Natural Resources, SMC in-kind)

Slocum Creek Watershed Management Plan

 OVERVIEW: Repetitive flooding problems including the communities of Wauconda, Island Lake, Fox River Valley Gardens, Lake Barrington. Updated topography and aerial photography has been obtained. Model development is underway. Like the Squaw Creek effort, the plan will be developed with stakeholder input, and will include mitigation measures, capital projects and natural resource protection recommendations.

 COMPLETED: Study began in 1996; scheduled for adoption in 1999.

 COST: $108,000 (Slocum Drainage District, SMC)

Land Acquisition Program

The Lake County Forest Preserve District has actively pursued a program of open land, wetland and floodplain purchase in the Fox River Watershed. To date 4500 areas of land adjacent to the River and its tributaries have been acquired by the District.