The DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup was established in 2005 as a result of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) that were being developed 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). This workgroup seeks to implement targeted watershed activities that resolve problems in priority waterways efficiently and cost-effectively.
In 2015, DRSCW negotiated special conditions to their NPDES permits that substantially increase financial commitments to restoration efforts. Special condition projects completed by DRSCW in 2016 include:
- Dam removal and stream restoration in The Preserves at Oak Meadows, a golf course along the Salt Creek in Addison.
- Development of a conceptual plan for modifying the dam on the Salt Creek in Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook.
- Partial funding of a USGS study that monitored total phosphorus reductions in nonpoint source pollution as a result of implementing BMPs that include street sweeping and leaf collecting.
Additionally, DRSCW is designing the modification of the Fawell Dam along the West Branch of the DuPage River in Naperville. It is selecting a consulting firm to lead the framework development of a watershed-scale total phosphorus-trading program for point source dischargers.
Figures 5.5 and 5.6 depict the number of DuPage River Salt Creek major facilities with phosphorus limits in their permits and those that have submitted feasibility and optimization studies, respectively.
