The DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup (DRSCW) formed in 2005 in response to concerns about Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) 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 workgroup seeks to implement targeted watershed activities that resolve priority waterway problems efficiently and cost effectively. In 2015, a special condition to DRSCW NPDES permits was added that substantially increased financial commitments to restoration efforts focused on improving aquatic life. Special condition DRSCW projects completed in 2018:
- 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 (MIBI) score and individual species taxa biodiversity improved. The 2017 post-project mean MIBI (33.2) increased 9.6 points compared to the 2013 score and five new species were recorded. Additionally, the post-project Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) increased at all sites with improvements in substrate, riparian, pool, and riffle scores. Mean QHEI at the project location increased 12 points to 69.3. All QHEI scores in 2017 were in the range defined as good (>60 QHEI points).
- Through a telephone survey, public input was solicited on the Fullersburg Woods dam modification in the Salt Creek in Oak Brook, Illinois. The majority of respondents were supportive of dam modification as well as cost-effective solutions to improve water quality. They also reported that they believe it is very important to improve water quality.
- The analysis of the feasibility of point source-to-point source (PS to PS) trading in the watershed is complete. The project shows the feasibility for PS to PS trading at all geographic boundaries—in a subwatershed and in the watershed.
Additionally, DRSCW is engaged in design engineering for the Fawell Dam modification the dam is located in the west branch of the DuPage River in Naperville, Illinois. In cooperation with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, design and permitting of the Springbrook dam removal and stream restoration project (Spring-brook Phase II in Wheaton, Illinois) is underway. Construction on the Springbrook Phase II project is expected to begin in spring of 2019. The workgroup is rerunning an analysis of causal factors influencing aquatic life, including the effects of nutrients. The analysis will cover a substantial area of northeastern Illinois. The workgroup also plans to continue its work on expanding the phosphorus- and nitrogen-trading program to include stream restoration crediting.
Figure 5.5 and Table 5.9 depict the number of DuPage River Salt Creek major facilities that have sub-mitted feasibility and optimization studies and those with phosphorus limits in their permits.
