The DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup formed in 2005 in response to concerns about Total Maximum Daily Loads set for the east and west branches of the DuPage River and Salt Creek, located in portions of Cook, DuPage, and Will counties in northeastern Illinois. The DRSCW seeks to implement targeted watershed activities that resolve priority waterway problems efficiently and cost-effectively.
In 2015, a special condition was added to DRSCW’s NPDES permits that substantially increased financial commitments to restoration efforts focused on improving aquatic life. The special condition includes nine stream restoration projects, two studies, and the development of a nutrient implementation plan.
Physical Projects:
- Post-project monitoring was conducted at the Oak Meadows Golf Course dam removal and stream restoration project along the Salt Creek in Addison, Illinois. Post-project, both the Macroinvertebrate Index of Biological Integrity score and individual species taxa biodiversity improved. The 2019 post-project mean MIBI (40.85 points) increased 17.25 points from the 2013 score, resulting in the sites now meeting the general use standard for aquatic life. Additionally, the post-project Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index increased at all sites with improvements in substrate, riparian, pool, and riffle scores. Mean QHEI at the project location increased 13.95 points to 71.5 points. All QHEI scores in 2019 were in the range defined as good (>60 QHEI points).
- In cooperation with Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, the Spring Brook No. 1 Wetland and Creek Restoration Phase 2 project in Wheaton was completed in fall 2020. This project included the removal of the Arrow Road Dam and created a new meandering stream channel and restored riparian wetlands and vegetation.
- After a master planning process that included alternatives analysis and an extensive public input process, the DRSCW entered into a license agreement with FPDDC to implement the Master Plan for Salt Creek at Fullersburg Woods. The Master Plan includes the removal of the Fullersburg Woods Dam and one and one-quarter miles of stream restoration within the Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve. Final design and preparation of contract bid documents is scheduled for 2021.
- In cooperation with FPDDC and DuPage County Stormwater Management, the DRSCW completed preliminary design of a fish ladder system for the Fawell Dam modification. The dam is located on the west branch of the DuPage River in Naperville. The fish ladder is expected to be installed in 2021.
Studies and Nutrient Implementation Plan:
- The DRSCW completed its Identification and Prioritization System model update. The IPS model is an analysis of causal factors influencing aquatic life, including the effects of nutrients. The IPS model also developed watershed-based thresholds for phosphorus, which will be utilized to develop a water-shed-based phosphorus goal to be included in the nutrient implementation plan.
- Updates to the QUAL2K models for Salt Creek and the East Branch DuPage River commenced in 2020. These models are being updated to QUAL2Kw; a model is also being developed for the West Branch DuPage River. Calibration and validation for the Salt Creek and East Branch models is complete. These models will be used to evaluate projects and scenarios for the nutrient implementation plan.
As Figure 5.6 shows, 26 optimization studies and feasibility studies have been submitted from the DuPage River Salt Creek watersheds.
Future work for the DRSCW includes preliminary design of the Lower East Branch DuPage River and West Branch DuPage River stream restoration projects, expanding the phosphorus- and nitrogen-trading program to include stream restoration crediting and the development of a best management practices manual for street sweeping, leaf litter removal, and catch basin cleaning.
Figure 5.6. Feasibility studies and optimization studies submitted by major municipal facilities in the DuPage River Salt Creek watersheds
