Final Report: Your Water Your Future – A Residential Household Survey To Assess Our Water Future

The continued expansion in residential growth in McLean County impacts water quality and quantity in many ways, including raising concerns about the availability of water for the future. Yet, much of the current research on non-point source pollution continues to focus on agricultural producers as the primary source, with very… Continue reading

Sangamon River/ Lake Decatur Watershed TMDL Report

Water quality standards are laws or regulations that states authorize to enhance water quality and protect public health and welfare. Water quality standards provide the foundation for accomplishing two of the principal goals of the CWA. These goals are: Restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the… Continue reading

Lake Bloomington Watershed Plan

This is a management plan working to improve the water quality and stop pollution and chemicals from entering Lake Bloomington. It provides studies done testing the levels of chemical pollutants, sources of pollution, effects on wildlife, and possible solutions to these detrimental issues.  

Evergreen Lake Watershed Plan

This is a management plan to protect and improve the water quality of Evergreen Lake. Background information on the problems of pollution and runoff influencing is provided. Possible ideas to improve the situation of the water are given along with plans of implementation. It gives an overall action plan to… Continue reading

Lake Bloomington Executive Summary

This is a management plan that talks about protecting Lake Bloomington. It provides goals as well as implementation and monitoring plans that should help improve the quality of the water. The plan is specifically formulated to reduce phosphorous, nitrates, and sedimentation within the lake. Lake Bloomington Executive Summary

Evergreen Lake Executive Summary

This is a summary of the Evergreen Lake phosphorous problems, and the implementation projects do reduce runoff of phosphorus into the lake. They provide cost estimates, how they will monitor the lake, and about how they will measure their progress in the future. Evergreen Lake Executive Summary

The Hydrogeological Effects of Variable Land Use along Wolf Creek in the Mackinaw River Watershed

This is a thesis looking at the Wolf Creek subwatershed. Tests were run and data was collected to determine chemical contents in the water and sources of runoff and pollution. It discusses the significance of the pollution and the effects it is having on the local water quality. The Hydrogeological… Continue reading

Direct and Indirect Impacts of Urbanization on Wetland Quality

The purpose of this article is to review the current state of wetland science as it pertains to impacts from urbanization, and to explore the possible management implications for local natural resource managers and land use planners who are the principal audience for this article. It is always difficult to… Continue reading

What Can You Do in Your Home and Yard?

This guide gives information on how to help preserve water quality in your own home and yard area. By following the advice of the pamphlet, residents will be able to better maintain the aquifers and watersheds for future use and a higher quality of drinking water. What Can You Do… Continue reading

Mackinaw River Watershed Management Plan – Mudcreek

This is an analysis Mud Creek subwatershed, including the information of the point and non-point source pollution and details about the location and the use of the subwatershed. This management plan is used to inform the citizens of the potential future problems and possible solutions to protect the water quality… Continue reading