Projects
The DRSCW seeks to implement targeted watershed activities that resolve priority water way problems efficiently and cost effectively.
OUR WATERS ARE IMPAIRED
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The Traditional Approach to Addressing Impaired Waters
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The DRSCW’s Philosophy
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Our Stream Restoration Practices
Our stream restoration projects incorporate the following practices to improve water quality and aquatic life:
Dam Removal
The majority of dams in our region are obsolete. Not only do most dams no longer serve their original purpose, they are also a major obstacle to restoring healthy streams. A dam cuts off a river’s flow. This has several consequences:
Public safety
Low-head or run-of-river dams are shorter dams that allow water to flow over them. The water that flows over the top of the dam creates a current that is able to pull people down and trap them underwater. While they do not look dangerous, people have drowned at low-head dams.
Water quality
Rivers and streams are meant to flow and freely move sediment downstream. By cutting off a waterway’s natural flow, water slows and pools behind the dam, causing sediment to accumulate. The water upstream becomes shallow and nutrient-rich. This creates conditions that deplete oxygen in the water and make it difficult for aquatic life to thrive.
Aquatic life
Dams prevent fish passage. In several streams in the DRSCW watershed, certain fish species are only found downstream of the dam. Dams also impact the health and diversity of aquatic life by degrading water quality and habitat.
Maintenance costs
Dams require upkeep. Maintaining low-head dams, removing sediment that accumulates upstream, and repairing downstream bank erosion can be costly.
Recreation
Dams prevent boaters from passing dams safely. Boaters must exit the stream and carry their boats over land to pass dams. Since dams degrade water quality, habitat and fish populations, recreational fishing is also negatively impacted by low-head dams.
Dam removal projects improve water quality, habitat, fish diversity, safety and recreation.
Root Wads
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Dam Removal
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Meandering
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Root wads
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Dam Removal
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Suspendisse sed nisi lacus sed. Euismod in pellentesque massa placerat. Commodo sed egestas egestas fringilla phasellus faucibus scelerisque eleifend. Facilisis sed odio morbi quis. Tincidunt arcu non sodales neque sodales ut etiam sit. Phasellus vestibulum lorem sed risus. Nam at lectus urna duis convallis convallis tellus.
Meandering
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Suspendisse sed nisi lacus sed. Euismod in pellentesque massa placerat. Commodo sed egestas egestas fringilla phasellus faucibus scelerisque eleifend. Facilisis sed odio morbi quis. Tincidunt arcu non sodales neque sodales ut etiam sit. Phasellus vestibulum lorem sed risus. Nam at lectus urna duis convallis convallis tellus. Viverra tellus in hac habitasse platea dictumst vestibulum.
Root wads
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Suspendisse sed nisi lacus sed. Euismod in pellentesque massa placerat. Commodo sed egestas egestas fringilla phasellus faucibus scelerisque eleifend. Facilisis sed odio morbi quis. Tincidunt arcu non sodales neque sodales ut etiam sit.
Our Projects
The DRSCW’s stream restoration projects incorporate the methods described above. Learn more about our projects below.
Graue Mill Dam and Fullersburg Woods Restoration
In 2007, the DRSCW began monitoring water quality and wildlife at Salt Creek. We found a decline of river health upstream of the Graue Mill dam. A few years later, the DRSCW began exploring options to improve river quality and help meet water quality standards required by the Clean Water Act.
Oak Meadows Dam Removal and Stream Restoration
The objective of the project is to improve Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index scores and Macro-Invertebrate Index of Biological Integrity scores in a 1.3 mile stretch of Salt Creek main stem, and dissolved oxygen (DO) scores directly upstream of the existing dam.
Churchill Woods Dam Modification
DRSCW developed concept plans for the removal of the Churchill Woods dam and the restoration of the upstream riparian corridor of the East Branch of the DuPage River. Project goals were to improve fish passage and species diversity upstream of the existing dam, along with increasing dissolved oxygen within the stream.
