Woods Creek Restoration Stabilizes Riparian Area

CHALLENGE:

Reach 10 of Woods Creek runs through the Village of Lake in the Hills in McHenry County. The Woods Creek Watershed-Based Plan identified this area as critical for restoration. The Village of Lake in the Hills hired HR Green to design and RES to construct the Best Management Practices (BMPs) recommended in the plan.

SOLUTION:

Prior to construction, the project team hosted a public education event to inform local stakeholders about the project. The project team restored wetlands and riparian areas, protected stream banks and shorelines, and restored the stream channel. These BMPs provide much-needed relief from bank erosion and nutrient transport in the Woods Creek Watershed. The team secured permits from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Illinois Department of Natural Resources—Office of Water Resources, and other agencies.

The Woods Creek restoration project received funding from the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Section 319 grant program, administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), and a grant from the local Soil and Water Conservation District.

BENEFIT: 

The restoration of wetlands, riparian areas, and the stream channel help reduce bank erosion and nutrient transport, improving water quality and habitat for local wildlife. The project is now in the monitoring and maintenance period, with the implemented BMPs continuing to function effectively and providing long-term benefits.