The Fox River Study Group is a diverse coalition of stakeholders who have been working together since 2001 to enhance the health and vitality of the Fox River for the benefit of the nearly 1 million citizens in the Fox River Valley. The study group is using science to guide the region toward a cleaner, safer, and more beautiful Fox River. The group uses research, data, and collaboration to support sustainable policies and development across the Fox River watershed.
In 2015, FRSG completed the Fox River Implementation Plan, which is the community’s road map to eliminate water quality impairments due to low dissolved oxygen levels, high total phosphorus levels, and nuisance algae in the Fox River from the Stratton Dam in McHenry County to the mouth of the river in LaSalle County. The group’s study area encompasses 1,405 square miles of the Fox River watershed.
Major wastewater treatment plants that discharge to the Fox River are completing upgrades at their facilities, so that total phosphorus discharges will meet an annual average limit of 1 mg/L. This will result in an approximately 75% reduction in total phosphorus loading to the river during summer months, as compared to the 2010–13 load. These improvements will be adopted through 2022. The Fox River watershed dischargers have also committed in their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits to meet a total phosphorus limit of 0.5 mg/L annual geometric mean by 2030, unless FRSG determines that a greater phosphorus reduction is necessary and achievable before then.
FRSG is now in its 19th year of water quality data collection in the watershed. On a monthly basis, an all-volunteer and in-kind effort by FRSG member groups collects and analyzes samples from seven main stem locations and seven tributary locations along an 80-mile stretch of the Fox River from McHenry to Yorkville. FRSG is also funding the U.S. Geological Survey to collect continuous water quality data on the Fox River during the growing season. USGS is collecting seasonal data during water years 2018–21 at the Stratton Dam (USGS Station #05549501). This is one of the first sites in the nation with continuous monitoring of blue-green algae levels. Blue-green algae can release toxins into the water, so these data are valuable to downstream entities that use the Fox River as the water supply for over 300,000 residents.
The Illinois State Water Survey maintains the FoxDB environmental database, where all available data where all available data for the Fox River watershed are compiled and publicly available (ilrdss.sws.uiuc.edu/fox/). The database is updated biennially. Besides the ongoing monitoring described above, new water quality and biological data were collected in 2020. In anticipation of the planned removal of the Carpenter Dam by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, the FRSG coordinated pre-removal studies of the pooled and free-flowing reaches near the dam. Illinois EPA studied the macroinvertebrate population and Illinois Department of Natural Resources sampled fish. Consulting firm Deuchler’s field staff conducted water quality sampling from July to October in the dam pool and upstream free-flowing reach. These studies will be repeated after the dam removal is completed to document the removal’s impacts on water quality and the biological community.
To make informed decisions about how best to maintain and improve the quality of the Fox River in this urbanizing watershed, FRSG has developed two computer models — Hydrological Simulation Program FORTRAN for watershed loading and QUAL2K for instream. Geosyntec Consultants has completed an update of these models for FRSG. The instream model has been updated to QUAL2Kw, a dynamic version, and recalibrated with data collected since the 2015 FRIP was completed. Geosyntec is currently using the models to assess different management scenarios to address low dissolved oxygen and nuisance algae problems in the Fox River; results will be used to update the FRIP for submission to Illinois EPA by the end of 2022. Scenarios being evaluated include reductions in phosphorus in tributary watersheds the Fox River upstream of the Stratton Dam, and wastewater treatment facilities, as well as removal of the numerous low head dams on the Fox River. In 2021, the models will also be used to evaluate combinations of these different management practices.
FRSG and Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning completed an update and recalibration of the HSPF model for the Mill Creek sub-watershed, which was used to complete a new watershed-based plan for that Fox River tributary in 2019. Currently, FRSG and CMAP are collaborating with other watershed stakeholders on the development of a watershed-based plan for the Indian Creek watershed in Kane and DuPage counties. The HSPF model for the Indian Creek watershed is being updated as part of this effort.
FRSG continues to work with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and IDNR to complete the Fox River
Habitat and Connectivity Study. This study, which is half-completed, will evaluate the efficacy and cost effectiveness of fish passage and riverine function restoration methods at 10 low head, run-of-the-river dams on the Fox River. The FRSG and IDNR are working on an agreement for FRSG to cover the local cost-share needed to complete the study.
FRSG worked with Aileron Communications to conduct a phone survey of residents’ attitudes toward the Fox River in February 2020. Findings revealed that 46% think the Fox River is somewhat or very polluted, and 23% think the Fox River is somewhat or very unsafe for paddling, fishing, or recreation. Aileron also helped FRSG refresh its web presence (foxriverstudygroup.org).
In 2019 and 2020, FRSG conducted 14 outreach activities, mostly presentations that informed the public about the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, the adverse impacts of high algae levels on drinking water from the Fox River, opportunities to improve river conditions, and the efforts the watershed community is undertaking to reduce phosphorus levels and nuisance algae blooms in the river. In addition, the Friends of the Fox River representative on the FRSG board has made presentations on the anticipated benefits of removing more dams from the Fox River.
As Figure 5.5 shows, 23 optimization studies and feasibility studies have been submitted from the Fox River watershed.
Figure 5.5. Feasibility studies and optimization studies submitted by major municipal facilities in the Fox River watershed
