Woods Creek Restoration Stabilizes Riparian Area

CHALLENGE: Reach 10 of Woods Creek is located in the Village of Lake in the Hills in McHenry County. The Woods Creek restoration project was identified in the Woods Creek Watershed-Based Plan as a critical project area. The Village of Lake in the Hills hired HR Green to complete the design and RES to complete the construction of the Best Management Practices (BMPs) recommended in the Woods Creek Watershed-Based Plan (WCWBP).

SOLUTION: The project incorporated wetland and riparian area restoration, stream bank and shoreline protection, and stream channel restoration. The installed BMPs will provide much-needed relief from the bank erosion and nutrient transport occurring in the Woods Creek Watershed. The project required permitting through the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Illinois Department of Natural Resources—Office of Water Resources, and other associated agencies.

BENEFIT: Prior to construction, the project team hosted a public education event for local stakeholders to learn about the upcoming project. Construction was completed smoothly, and the project is currently in the Monitoring and Maintenance period.

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