Watershed Planning

Waukegan Harbor Citizens Advisory Group · Box 297 · Waukegan, Illinois 60079

Maintained by Illinois EPA—Last Updated 11/9/2007—For problems contact Webmaster

The Waukegan River is a subwatershed of the Illinois Lake Michigan watershed.  The Waukegan River subwatershed includes two main tributaries: Yeoman Creek (North Tributary) and South Tributary that drain 7,642 acres or 11.9 square miles into Lake Michigan in Waukegan

 

The Waukegan River Watershed Planning Initiative is part of a series of steps that federal, state and local partners will take to evaluate and improve the water quality in the Waukegan River. Using a U.S. EPA Section 319  grant, the Waukegan Harbor Citizens Advisory Group (CAG) will develop a comprehensive watershed plan that identifies water quality issues, recognizes the sources of impairments and prioritizes specific measures that will focus work efforts on those areas with the most critical water quality problems. Areas with high quality resources facing the greatest risk from pollution will be targeted for site specific Best Management Practices (BMPs).  The BMPs will be designed to protect water quality by reducing suspended sediment, nutrients and other pollutants while enhancing habitat and aesthetics. The watershed plan will identify projects that have the greatest potential for environmental improvement, increasing the cost-effectiveness of water quality restoration and protection.

 

The process of developing a watershed plan has included the formation of stakeholder and technical planning committees, stakeholder workshops, watershed data evaluation and resource inventory. The Waukegan Harbor CAG has the lead responsibility for project coordination, participating on a watershed planning committee and project management.  The committees and activities developed during the planning process have brought together the general public, governmental entities, local businesses, educational institutions and homeowners in the watershed to improve the water quality and quality of life in their community.  This project relies on local interests and state agencies partnering in a non-regulatory framework to continue water quality improvements but in the watershed. 

 

The Waukegan River Watershed Planning Initiative builds on the successes of previous Section 319 funded projects on the Waukegan River, including stream restoration, water quality monitoring and wetland enhancement work in several Waukegan parks.  These projects reduced erosion, improved water quality, rehabilitated habitat and enhanced the aesthetics of the waterway.

 

Several projects initiated by partnerships of governmental and nongovernmental organizations have been implemented along the Waukegan River.

 

The City of Waukegan conducted an extensive project on the Waukegan River North Branch to shield sewer lines and stabilize stream banks.  This project was designed to protect sewer lines from damage and reduce the potential for releases to the river, as well as protect stream banks from erosion. 

 

Midwest Generation and the Waukegan Harbor CAG, have worked cooperatively to assist Waukegan’s Hyde Park School in acquiring a section of the Waukegan River for stewardship and educational use.