Muck Munching: A Two-year Feasibility Study for In-Lake Organic Sediment Management

The Muck Study: Hypothesis: Low dissolved oxygen and/ or a lack of benthic microorganisms is limiting organic sediment decomposition, resulting in sediment build-up. PDF [7.26 MB]

Pesticide NPDES Permit – Do You Need One?

WHO NEEDS AN NPDES PESTICIDE GENERAL PERMIT? The General NPDES permit applies to “operators” who apply pesticides to or over waters of the U.S. or at waters edge. Pesticide applications directly to or over waters of the U.S. PDF [116.3 KB]

Powderhorn Lake Restoration

Project Goals: Hydrologic Connection/Restoration, Flood Reduction, Fish Passage, Water Level Management, Invasive Species Management, Nature Preserve Enhancement, T&E Habitat Improvements, & Community Investment. PDF [4.59 MB]

Rapid Response: A Case Study of measuring a HAB in real time

The History of Clear Lake, CA: One of the oldest natural lakes in North America Giusti’s treatise regarding human influences on Clear Lake in the 20th century points to at least three activities that have caused major environmental problem in the lake beyond just HABs Routinely on the state’s HAB Incident Report Map. PDF [3.07 MB]

Simulation of Groundwater-Surface Water Interaction and Lake Resiliency at Crystal Lake, City of Crystal Lake, Illinois

City of Crystal Lake concerned with managing lake water levels. History of fluctuating lake levels*, Recent flooding events north and south of the lake, City’s Goal: to control lake levels under various climate ranges (lowering the outlet weir by 1 ft) PDF [1.86 MB]

Snowy Winters, Salty Waters

Impact of urbanization on chloride and stream invertebrates: A 10 year citizen science field study of road salt in stormwater runoff. PDF [4.04MB]

Testing Different Sensor’s Ability to Detect Algae Blooms

Next Generation Watershed Observing System (NGWOS) and the Illinois River Basin (ILRB) What is a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB)? HABs are overgrowths of algae in water. Some produce dangerous toxins in fresh or marine water, but even nontoxic blooms hurt the environment and local economies. PDF [1.19 MB]

The Mackinaw River Basin: State of the Fisheries

The Mackinaw River Basin: 125 miles long, 1,138 square miles drainage area, 99 fish species, 2 State Endangered: Lake Sturgeon and Blacknose Shiner, 1 State Threatened: American Brook Lamprey, 13 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (IWAP), 4 Exotic Species: Common Carp, Grass Carp, Bighead Carp, Silver Carp. PDF [2.65 MB]

The Silver Bullet of Lake Management

Data Collection Identify the problem: Water quality, Nutrients, & Oxygen. Aquatic plant surveys: Native, Invasive, Public input, Management planning, & Put systems in place for success. PDF [1.46 MB]

What Does My Lake Water Quality Data Mean?

Objectives: Data Sources, Data Types, Data Compiling/Organizing, & Data Quality. Water Quality Goals: Water Quality Standards and Thresholds, Data context, Trends & Example-data download and analysis. PDF [4.12MB]