CMAP staff are finalizing the dataset of best management practice (BMP) ideas submitted through the public engagement website and via stakeholder meetings and conversations. BMPs include urban and agricultural “on-the-ground” projects, local plans and policy updates, public education and outreach activities, and water quality monitoring recommendations. The on-the-ground/construction-type BMPs will be modeled by the project’s consultant, Geosyntec, to estimate how much phosphorus, nitrogen, solids, bacteria, and chloride can be reduced going to Indian Creek and the Fox River. 
This “pollutant load reduction” estimate, along with planning level implementation cost estimates for all the BMPs identified in the Indian Creek planning area, are among U.S. EPA’s “nine minimum elements” required in a watershed-based plan. The planning process will then wrap up with a framework for implementing the plan’s recommendations over the next ten years, including a general implementation schedule, criteria for determining progress, and monitoring to evaluate effectiveness. 
The final draft of the Indian Creek Watershed-based Plan is due to Illinois EPA at the end of November, with the final version slated by year’s end.

Many thanks are extended to everyone who submitted watershed and water quality concerns, comments, and ideas for improvements through the public engagement website. CMAP staff are amid compiling all the input received into a single dataset. The “on-the-ground”/construction-type best management practice (BMP) project ideas will be modeled by the project’s consultant, Geosyntec, to estimate how much phosphorus, nitrogen, solids, bacteria, and chloride can be expected to be reduced going to Indian Creek and the Fox River downstream. This “pollutant load reduction” estimate, along with planning level implementation cost estimates for all the best practices recommended in the Indian Creek planning area, are among U.S. EPA’s “nine minimum elements” required in a watershed-based plan.
The planning process will then wrap up with a framework for implementing the plan’s recommendations over the next ten years, including a general implementation schedule, criteria for determining progress, and monitoring to evaluate effectiveness.

The public engagement webpage is waiting for you!  Please see the information and graphic above and visit   https://engage.cmap.illinois.gov/indian-creek-watershed-based-plan.  Take a look around… here you can share your insights and ideas for protecting and improving water and habitat quality in the Indian Creek watershed and adjacent Fox River via maps, a quick poll, a short survey, and a comments forum.  Through one interactive map, you can point out areas of concern (such as flooding, erosion, water quality concerns), and through another interactive map, you can add ideas for water quality-related projects, outreach and education activities, monitoring programs, and policy and planning updates.    

Please get submittals in by July 22!

Your ideas for future actions are a big key piece of watershed-based plans like this one.  This is where the lure hits the water, where the bricks hit the ground, where the money gets things going, where the…  you get the picture!  The water quality-related projects and programs identified in the Indian Creek Watershed-based Plan – collectively termed best management practices (BMPs) – will become eligible for applicable federal grants, including Clean Water Act “Section 319” Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program grants.  Inclusion also helps improve ranking for other state and local grants and technical assistance, such as Illinois EPA’s Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities (GIGO) program and the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation’s Natural Areas Grant Program.

  Exciting news! The public engagement webpage will be live any day now. We want to hear from you! Please visit https://engage.cmap.illinois.gov/  and scroll to the Indian Creek Watershed-based Plan project. Here you can share your insights and ideas for protecting and improving water and habitat quality in the Indian Creek watershed and adjacent Fox River via maps, a quick poll, a short survey, and a comments forum. Through one interactive map, you can point out areas of concern (such as flooding, erosion, water quality concerns), and through a second interactive map, you can add ideas for water quality-related projects, outreach and education activities, monitoring programs, and policy and planning updates. 

Input is welcome from anyone with an interest – a stake – in the quality of the Indian Creek watershed and adjacent Fox River. You don’t have to live, work, or have a business there to be a stakeholder! Perhaps you visit the area to ride your bike on the Fox River Trail or Prairie Path, hike the trails in Fermilab, or paddle on the Fox River. Maybe you’ve shopped at the outlet mall or unique local shops, dined at one of the many restaurants, enjoyed a festival, or went to hear some live music… then you are a stakeholder too!

The input received will help shape water quality-related recommendations that will be incorporated into the Indian Creek Watershed-based Plan. Of the many benefits of developing a watershed-based plan, a key one is that projects and programs identified in such plans become eligible for certain federal grants, including Clean Water Act “Section 319” Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program grants, and it helps improve ranking for other state and local grants and technical assistance, such as Illinois EPA’s Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities (GIGO) program. 

 To provide input and ideas to help inform plan recommendations, visit https://engage.cmap.illinois.gov/.

Photo below: An autumn view of Indian Creek near Farnsworth Avenue in Aurora.                    

  The final sections of the watershed resource inventory (WRI) are nearing completion.  The stream physical conditions data is being mapped, the stormwater detention basin assessment field observations are being tabulated, and the pollutant load estimates for current and future projected land uses are being finalized.  An interim final WRI was submitted to Illinois EPA at the end of March, with the final WRI due by mid-May.

Also in development is the watershed-based action plan which aims to identify potential water quality-based on-the-ground projects, public education and outreach activities, and planning and policy recommendations.  Such projects identified in an Illinois EPA-approved watershed-based plan become eligible for federal grant assistance (e.g., Clean Water Act Section 319h Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program grants).  Opportunities for local and state funding and technical assistance (e.g., Illinois EPA’s Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities program, CMAP’s Local Technical Assistance program) are enhanced as well.  Keep an eye on this space and through special announcements for information about participating in the public engagement opportunities and sharing your knowledge and vision for the Indian Creek watershed!    

Below photo:  A view from Indian Creek looking downstream toward the Fox River Trail bridge in Aurora.               

 The final pieces of the watershed resource inventory (WRI) are coming together. CMAP staff have completed mapping of Poss Lake’s shoreline assessment data and are in the middle of preparing the various maps and tables that will summarize the stream physical conditions and stormwater detention basin assessments field observations. The project’s modeling consultant, Geosyntec, has completed documentation of the pollutant load estimates from current and future projected land uses in the planning area and is updating their report. An interim final WRI will be submitted to Illinois EPA at the end of March, with a final WRI due by the end of April.  

 Concurrently underway is the development of the watershed-based action plan which aims to identify potential water quality-based on-the-ground projects, outreach and education activities, and planning and policy recommendations. Included projects thus become eligible for federal grant assistance (e.g., Clean Water Act Section 319h Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program grants). Opportunities for local and state funding and technical assistance (e.g., Illinois EPA’s Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities program, CMAP’s Local Technical Assistance program) are enhanced as well. Keep an eye on this space and through special announcements for information about participating in the public engagement opportunities and sharing your knowledge and vision for the watershed!   

Below photo: The Batavia Spur of the Illinois Prairie Path crosses over Indian Creek south of Fermilab.              

  Field work to complete the physical conditions assessment of Indian Creek was completed in mid- January.  CMAP would like to thank Wally Levernier at Fermilab, Rakiya Tasiu with BNSF Environmental,  and Brian Soyk with BNSF Safety for braving cold weather and icy waters to help get that done.  CMAP and Kane County staff continued assessing detention basins to identify their relative water quality benefit as well as potential retrofit opportunities via a combination of aerial imagery and site visits.  Hopefully snow holds off and some relatively warmer days are upcoming (around 30 degrees would be nice!) to facilitate the assessment of Fox River shoreline erosion conditions within the planning area.  Results of the field assessments, including maps and tables, will be included in the final watershed resource inventory targeted for late February.          

Next up is the development of the watershed-based action plan.  Data gathered during the field assessments along with input from watershed stakeholders through various public engagement activities will identify opportunities to protect and improve water and aquatic habitat quality throughout the 16 square mile Indian Creek planning area.  Guided by this input, the plan will identify potential water quality-based on-the-ground projects, outreach and education activities, and planning and policy recommendations.  These projects then become eligible for federal grant assistance (e.g., Clean Water Act Section 319h Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program grants).  Opportunities for local and state funding and technical assistance are enhanced as well.  Continue to keep an eye on this space and through special announcements for information about participating in the public engagement opportunities and sharing your knowledge and vision for the watershed!                 

  The field assessments to round out the watershed resource inventory (WRI) are almost done.  With hopes for some relatively snow-free days in early January, CMAP staff plans to assess three remaining Indian Creek sections, evaluate the approximately four miles of Fox River shoreline within the planning area, and complete the detention basin inventory and assessment.  Results of the field assessments, including maps and tables, will be included in the final WRI due to Illinois EPA in mid-February.         

Selmarten Creek (above), an Indian Creek tributary, flows westward downstream of Poss Lake through Big Woods Forest Preserve in DuPage County.  While invasive Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea, (right) are abundant throughout the Indian Creek watershed stream network (as they are throughout Illinois), it has been positive to find several native Giant Floater (Pyganodon grandis, far right) shells throughout the stream network as well.   

 In early 2022, the development of the watershed-based action plan will move into high gear.  Data gathered during the field assessments along with input from watershed stakeholders through various public engagement activities will identify opportunities to protect and improve water and aquatic habitat quality throughout the Indian Creek planning area.  Guided by this input, the plan will outline water quality related on-the-ground projects, outreach and education activities, and planning and policy recommendations, which then become eligible for federal grant assistance as well as other local and state funding and technical assistance opportunities.  Keep an eye on this space and through special announcements for information about participating in the public engagement opportunities and sharing your knowledge and vision for the watershed!               

  The field assessment portion of the stream physical conditions inventory is nearing completion.  Thank goodness for some relatively warmer weather days during November and December!  CMAP wishes to thank the hardy souls who assisted CMAP staff in the assessment of sections of Indian Creek and its main tributaries during these two months, namely Paul Anderson with his FREP hat on, Rishab Mahajan and Matt Bardol with Geosyntec, Art Malm with Friends of the Fox River, Jonathan Hunt and Wally Levernier at Fermilab, Rob Linke with Kane County Division of Environmental & Water Resources, and Dan Grigas with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.  While our fingers and toes may have been a bit chilly, fall colors and interesting finds helped us not to dwell on the elements.       

Staff also have been continuing to assess stormwater detention basins throughout the watershed planning area.  Each of the more than 200 basins are being visited to confirm basin type (e.g., pond, dry bottom-turf or -mesic prairie, constructed wetland), native buffer extent, shoreline erosion degree, maintenance needs, retrofit opportunities, and their relative water quality benefit.  An assessment of nearshore conditions of the Fox River through the planning area will also be conducted before year’s end.  Results of all the field assessments will be included in the final watershed resource inventory (WRI) due to Illinois EPA in mid-February.    Following wrap up of the WRI, the development of the watershed-based action plan will move into high gear.  Engagement activities with watershed stakeholders will be launched and will help identify opportunities to protect and improve water and aquatic habitat quality throughout the Indian Creek planning area.  Guided by this input, the plan will identify water quality related on-the-ground projects, outreach and education activities, and planning and policy recommendations, which then become eligible for federal grant assistance as well as other local and state funding and technical assistance opportunities.  Keep an eye on this space and through special announcements for information on how you can participate!             

The stream physical conditions field assessments began in September, continued during October, and will be completed in November – hopefully before the water gets too cold!  CMAP wishes to thank the adventurous individuals who have accompanied CMAP staff in the wading and assessing of Indian Creek and its main tributaries so far, namely Jessi DeMartini with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Rob Linke with Kane County Division of Environmental & Water Resources, and Patrick Chess and Lauren Swanson with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County.

Indian Creek has revealed itself to be a stream of surprisingly variable conditions … from gravelly and cobble strewn stretches under a canopy of trees running through urbanized sections with challenging bank erosion issues (upper photos) … to largely stable, muck-filled reaches winding through sun-filled natural areas overgrown by wetland vegetation or covered by duckweed (lower photos).  The sea of lizard’s tail (Saururus cernuus) concealing a section of Indian Creek through the Chicago Premium Outlets Forest Preserve was remarkable!      

Staff also have been continuing to assess stormwater detention basins throughout the watershed planning area.  Each of the more than 200 basins are being visited to confirm basin type (e.g., pond, dry bottom-turf or -mesic prairie, constructed wetland), native buffer extent, shoreline erosion degree, maintenance needs, retrofit opportunities, and their relative water quality benefit.  An assessment of nearshore conditions of the Fox River through the planning area will also be conducted before year’s end.  Results of all the field assessments will be included in the final watershed resource inventory (WRI) due at year’s end.

On the administrative side, Illinois EPA okayed an extension of the grant period through June 30, 2022.  Following wrap up of the final WRI by December 31, 2021, the development of the watershed-based plan will move into high gear.  Engagement activities with watershed stakeholders will be launched and will help identify opportunities to protect and improve water and aquatic habitat quality throughout the Indian Creek planning area.  Keep an eye on this space and through special announcements for information on how you can participate!      

CMAP staff completed the field data collection portion of the shoreland conditions assessment at Poss Lake in the Big Woods Forest Preserve.  Maps showing shoreline erosion degree and riparian condition along with a summary of aquatic zone conditions will be included in the watershed resource inventory (WRI).  Additionally at Poss Lake, Illinois EPA staff have been conducting water sampling this summer, and a summary of their data will be included in the final WRI as well.

Staff finished development and testing of an ArcGIS Field Maps/Survey 123 combination app to use for recording the stream physical conditions assessment information.  Stream assessment field dates are currently being scheduled with partner staff.  The field data collection work will continue through the summer and possibly into early fall, dependent on the availability of partner staff to join a CMAP staff person each day when wading Indian Creek and its two main tributaries.

More than 200 stormwater detention basins are present throughout the Indian Creek watershed planning area, and each will be assessed to confirm basin type (e.g., pond, dry bottom-turf or -mesic prairie, constructed wetland), native buffer extent, shoreline erosion degree, maintenance needs, retrofit opportunities, and their relative water quality benefit.  Assessments are underway and will continue through the summer/early fall, the results of which will be incorporated into the final WRI.   

  For the pollutant load modeling requirements of the WRI, a draft technical report prepared by the project’s consultant, Geosyntec, describing the HSPF model update process, assumptions, and pollutant load estimates is under review.

On the administrative side of things, CMAP has asked Illinois EPA for an extension of the grant period through June 30, 2022.  Following wrap up of the final WRI by December 31, 2021, the development of the watershed-based plan will move into high gear.  Engagement activities with watershed stakeholders will be launched and will help identify opportunities to protect and improve water and aquatic habitat quality throughout the Indian Creek planning area.  Keep an eye on this space for information on how you can participate      

  CMAP staff finished developing an ArcGIS Field Maps app to document shoreland conditions at Poss Lake in the Big Woods Forest Preserve as well as the stretch of the Fox River within the planning area in Aurora.  Staff completed approximately two-thirds of the Poss Lake shoreland assessment over two days in mid-June, documenting shoreline erosion degree as well as riparian and aquatic zone conditions.  One more day at the lake ought to do it, then a few days along the Fox River.  Do wave if you happen to be paddling by!

Staff also completed development of an ArcGIS Field Maps/Survey 123 combination app to use for recording stream physical conditions assessment information.  After doing a test run to ensure all the needed data fields are included and the app is functioning as intended, stream assessment field work is expected to begin during July and continue through the summer, dependent on the availability and scheduling of partner staff to join a CMAP staff person each day when wading Indian Creek.

The project’s modeling consultant, Geosyntec, finalized the HSPF model’s hydrology, completed the model’s water quality calibration for several pollutants (total phosphorus, total nitrogen, suspended solids, fecal coliform, and chloride), and applied the model to simulate pollutant loadings for current land use conditions as well as forecasted, future land use.  A draft technical report describing the HSPF model update process, assumptions, and pollutant load estimates is under review.

The shoreland, stream, and detention basin assessment information, along with the pollutant load estimates, will be incorporated into the final watershed resource inventory (WRI) due at the end of the summer.  Then development of the watershed-based plan will move to the forefront where engagement activities with watershed stakeholders will help identify opportunities to protect and improve water and aquatic habitat quality throughout the Indian Creek planning area – so stayed tuned on how you can participate!       

During April, CMAP staff were able to get out in the field a couple days to begin the inventory and assessment of stormwater detention basins, one of the components of the watershed resources inventory (WRI). Utilizing ESRI ArcGIS Collector apps previously developed by Kane County Water Resources and DuPage County Stormwater Management for their respective counties, several aspects of each detention basin are being confirmed and/or assessed, including basin type (e.g., pond, dry bottom– turf or mesic prairie, constructed wetland), side slope cover types, native buffer presence/extent, shoreline erosion presence/extent, and a general assessment of the basin’s overall water quality function. Maintenance needs and potential retrofit opportunities to help improve water quality are also being noted. 

A second, interim draft of the watershed resource inventory (WRI) was submitted by CMAP to Illinois EPA at the end of January.  This draft addressed comments received from Illinois EPA and Advisory Team members on the first draft of the WRI and includes soils maps revisions, identification of additional local plans, and mapping of potential future land uses based on local municipal and county land use plans.  A third draft of the WRI is expected to be completed by late April/early May and will incorporate land use-based pollutant loading estimates for total phosphorus, total nitrogen, total suspended solids, fecal coliform, and chloride being modeled by Geosyntec Consultants.  The third draft of the WRI will be posted on the Indian Creek project page on the FREP website, replacing the first draft currently posted.

After a year of being unable to be out and about the watershed due to staff restrictions associated with COVID-19, CMAP staff are looking forward to beginning field data collection this spring for the stream physical conditions and stormwater detention basin inventory and assessment portions of the WRI.  Staff are finalizing an online map and associated data collection forms utilizing ESRI’s ArcGIS Collector and Survey 123 mobile data collection apps to use for the stream data collection work.  For the detention basin data, CMAP will utilize the ArcGIS Collector apps previously developed by Kane County and DuPage County to collect information on the stormwater basins in their respective counties.  This information will be incorporated into a fourth and final WRI by the end of this summer.

Finally, CMAP staff are developing an online public input platform that will be rolled out in the next couple months.  Keep your eyes on this space for that announcement!   

Watershed resource inventory development (WRI) continues. CMAP staff are addressing comments received from Illinois EPA on the first draft of the WRI submitted at the end of August. The WRI overviews existing conditions in the Indian Creek watershed planning area including local governments and districts, population and demographics, physical and natural resources, land use and land cover, water quality, pollutant sources, and land and water management practices. The draft is posted on the Indian Creek watershed project page on the FREP website. Sections that have yet to be rounded out include nonpoint source pollutant load estimates as well as stream physical conditions and stormwater detention basin assessments.

CMAP staff are continuing to develop an online map and associated data collection forms utilizing ESRI’s ArcGIS Collector and Survey 123 mobile data collection apps to use for stream conditions field data collection. For the detention basin inventory and assessment, CMAP will utilize the ArcGIS Collector apps previously developed by Kane County and DuPage County to collect information on the stormwater basins in their respective counties. It is hoped that field data collection can start this fall, with the majority to be conducted in the spring. For pollutant load modeling, Geosyntec has updated the Fox River Study Group’s Fox River Watershed HSPF (Hydrological Simulation Program – Fortran) model for the Indian Creek watershed with the latest land use, topography, soils, and storm water drainage data, and has delineated over 200 subwatersheds, or catchments, in the 16 square mile planning area. The HSPF model is continuous simulation model which provides far greater insight into anticipated pollutant loading and load reductions than simplistic models (such as spreadsheet models). The HSPF model will be calibrated to stream gauge flow data collected by Deuchler Engineering for the Fox Metro Water Reclamation District (FMWRD) near the mouth of Indian Creek and by Fermilab in the headwaters of Indian Creek.

The model will then be calibrated for several water quality parameters – total phosphorus, total nitrogen, total suspended solids, fecal coliform, and chloride – utilizing water chemistry data collected in Indian Creek by Illinois EPA and by Deuchler for the FMWRD. In future steps, the model will be used to assess the effectiveness of potential BMPs (best management practices) toward reducing pollutant loads to Indian Creek and the Fox River. The use of this calibrated model for the quantification of pollutant loads and BMP load reduction estimates will enable the stakeholders in the Indian Creek watershed to better allocate resources to achieve target water quality objectives.  

A first draft of the watershed resource inventory (WRI) was submitted to Illinois EPA by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) at the end of August. The WRI overviews existing conditions in the Indian Creek watershed planning area including local governments and districts, population and demographics, physical and natural resources, land use and land cover, water quality, pollutant sources, and land and water management practices. The draft is posted on the Indian Creek watershed project page on the FREP website. Some sections that have yet to be rounded out include nonpoint source pollutant load estimates as well as stream physical conditions and stormwater detention basin assessments. For pollutant load modeling, Geosyntec is in the process of updating the Fox River Study Group’s Fox River Watershed HSPF (Hydrological Simulation Program – Fortran) model to apply it to the Indian Creek watershed. They have updated the model with the latest land use, topography, soils, and storm water drainage data; and have delineated over 200 subwatersheds, or catchments, in the 16 square mile planning area. Smaller drainage catchments allow for improved representation of hydrology and pollutant loads and, in future steps, assessing effectiveness of potential BMPs (best management practices) in reducing pollutant loads to Indian Creek and the Fox River.

To facilitate stream conditions field data collection, CMAP is creating an online map and associated data collection forms utilizing ESRI’s ArcGIS Collector and Survey 123 mobile data collection apps. For the detention basin inventory and assessment, CMAP will utilize the ArcGIS Collector apps previously developed by Kane County and DuPage County to collect information on the stormwater basins in their respective counties. Field data collection is expected to begin in October and continue into next spring. Public engagement activities will be planned for the winter months to gain additional insights into watershed conditions and learn about opportunities for water quality improvement and habitat protection and restoration.

Preparation of the watershed resource inventory (WRI) is ongoing. CMAP is documenting existing conditions in the watershed including local governments and districts, population and demographics, physical and natural resources, land use and land cover, water quality, pollutant sources, and land and water management practices. To provide the pollutant load modeling requirement of the WRI, thanks to support from the Fox River Study Group (FRSG), CMAP subcontracted with Geosyntec to update and apply the FRSG’s Fox River Watershed HSPF (Hydrological Simulation Program – Fortran) model to the Indian Creek watershed. Geosyntec is currently updating the model with the latest land use, topography, soils, and storm water drainage data for the planning area. A draft WRI is due to Illinois EPA at the end of August, with a final WRI due at the end of November. Public engagement activities will be planned following the completion of the draft WRI to gain additional insights into watershed conditions and learn about opportunities for water quality and habitat protection and restoration in the watershed.