Project Update
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| Spring Brook Meander Project Summary Document |
Spring Brook
Meander Project
at Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve (2/15/07)
Project History
Before Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville was acquired by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, the parcel's rich soil was planted by DuPage County farmers for many decades. An aerial view of the preserve's Spring Brook, a tributary of the DuPage River, suggested that two distinct segments of the stream exist. One portion of the waterway was notched with twists and turns. Another section of the stream flowed straight - evidence that this section was "channelized" by farmers to keep water in a controlled area to prevent the flooding of their crops. This straightened, deep channel contained the brook but caused its water to continually churn away at its sides, contaminating the water downstream with sediment that coated and suffocated fish, mussel and microinvertebrates.
To improve the creek's water quality and habitat, the District undertook a two-mile stream-restoration project that created a meandering stream channel that is connected with a historic flood plain. In addition, a row of nonnative, invasive trees were removed along the stream to create an open grassland habitat.
Project Funding
In 2007, the District's Board of Commissioners approved $3.6 million to restore Spring Brook at Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve. The project was made possible with grants by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, DuPage County and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Project Overview
Before meandering, Spring Brook suffered from bank erosion and heavy sediment pollution, although portions of it were the most biologically diverse in DuPage County. Studies indicated that much of the sediment that polluted its waters occurred during high-flow events.
To manage floodwaters and reduce erosion in the brook, a new channel was constructed with the use of natural materials. By returning the twists and turns and making a wider, shallower bank, the District improved the stream's water quality by helping to slow the flow in the stream. The brook also easily pours over its banks and into the forest preserve during heavy rains, enhancing floodwater-control features. Several wetlands were also created along the former stream channel, and two of these areas will be surveyed by frog monitors.
New areas were stabilized with native plant species to support improved fish, mussel and macroinvertebrate habitat. Species such as Johnny darter, redfin shiner and slippershell mussel - all recorded downstream from the restoration site during previous studies - could return to the habitat as a result of the project. Even more, the improved riparian wetlands may support other wildlife, including wetland birds like the King and black rails.
During the restoration process, much of the surrounding soils were moved to change the course and level of the brook. Many European black alder trees - an introduced, invasive species that lined the stream - were removed. Their removal, and that of other trees, have joined two large, open grasslands and created one open habitat for rare grassland birds. In addition, a natural structure replaced the corrugated metal dam located at the preserve's wetlands near 75th Street.
Students from Naperville’s District 202 Advance Placement (AP) Biology classes have helped relocate mussels back into the newly restored stream channel and will be conducting long-term monitoring of invertebrates and water quality. Site steward Joe Suchecki will continue to monitor the bird populations that should benefit from the removal of the tree lines bisecting the preserve’s large grassland tracts. The project should reap biological benefits to aquatic organisms, improve riparian habitats and provide more open, native grassland habitats.
See the links to the right to see pictures of the project’s progress and a summary poster.
Project Photos
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5000, Wheaton, IL 60189-5000
email: forest@dupageforest.com (630) 933-7200 Fax: (630) 933-7204 TTY: (800) 526-0857