Liquid Assets

I n v e s t i n g I n T h e N a t u r e O f S o u t h w e s t e r n I l l i n o i sC O N S E R V A N C Y

Realizing the Value of Your Community’s Wetlands

2013

LIQUID ASSETS

Cover photos: Eastern Kingbird (Copyright Kara Pritchard); Flooded Corn�eld (FEMA)

This guide to wetlands and their values has been produced by HeartLands Conservancy with funding provided in part through the United States Environmental Protection Agency under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act distributed through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

This handbook should be used to guide communities’ conservation, management, and utilization of wetlands. This handbook was compiled by HeartLands Conservancy, a 501(c)3 organization that is committed to investing in healthy and sustainable agricultural, natural and social communities for current and future generations.

HeartLands Conservancy primarily serves Madison, St. Clair, Monroe, Bond, Clinton Washington, and Randolph counties in Illinois; however, the data contained herein may be applicable to other communities in areas where wetlands are present and ready to be valued.

406 East Main StreetMascoutah, Illinois 62258

(618) 566-4451wwww.heartlandsconservancy.org

I n v e s t i n g I n T h e N a t u r e O f S o u t h w e s t e r n I l l i n o i sC O N S E R V A N C Y

ILLINO

IS ENVI

RONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Realizing the Value of Your Community’s Wetlands

LIQUID ASSETS

Disclaimer: The work that provided the basis of this publication was supported by funding under an award with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through East-West Gateway Council of Governments. The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government or East-West Gateway.

What Is In Your Portfolio?

What is a Wetland?.........................................................................................................................6The American Bottom....................................................................................................................7Understanding Your Liquid Assets................................................................................................8Ecosystem Services........................................................................................................................9Water Quality..................................................................................................................................9Air Quality.....................................................................................................................................10Stormwater & Flooding.................................................................................................................11Wildlife & Recreation...................................................................................................................12Property Values.............................................................................................................................13The Multiplier Effect....................................................................................................................14Wetland Restoration.....................................................................................................................15What is a Watershed?....................................................................................................................17The Policy of Wetland Preservation.............................................................................................18Zoning & Ordinances...................................................................................................................19Funding Wetland Preservation.....................................................................................................19 How Do Citizens Get Involved?...................................................................................................21Resources & References...............................................................................................................22Kid’s Website (CARD)..................................................................................................................23

This handbook is designed to provide your community with the necessary information to value and protect its wetlands. The loss of wetlands in the American Bottom in Illinois to agricultural or (sub)urban development is staggering. This handbook explains the history of American Bottom wetlands and their role in controlling the ebb & flow of water in our region. Arlington Wetlands, a restored 83-acre wetland in Pontoon Beach is the showcase project for this handbook. By using this remnant oxbow wetland as an interactive illustration, we hope to showcase natural wetlands’ multitude of benefits as well as restore, interpret and preserve a piece of our regional history.

Wetlands and watersheds are explained in the most basic terms to give an understanding of how the American Bottom is affected by and affects the lifestyles of residents in your community. Wetlands provide numerous values, such as stormwater management, flood control, enhanced air quality, and improved quality of life for your residents. Using mechanisms outlined in this handbook to protect wetlands, your community may reap these benefits and avoid the costly challenges that wetland development implies. This handbook is a guide to protecting your community’s “liquid assets”.

While developed for the American Bottom, the general principles outlined here offer significant benefits for watersheds throughout the State of Illinois.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Liquid Assets: Realizing the Value of Your Community’s Wetlands6

To fully understand the value wetlands provide to communities, it is important to understand how they work. Many times, wetlands are criticized as “swamps” with rotting vegetation and swarms of mosquitoes. A healthy wetland is none of these things. Healthy wetlands are attractive, functioning ecosystems capable of housing a vast variety of plants and animals, all the while cleaning our stormwater and the air we breathe and recharging our groundwater.

Simply put, wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is near the surface of the soil during all or part of the year. This presence of water fosters the development of characteristic wetland soils - the real backbone and workhorse of the wetland ecosystem. These special soils attract aquatic and terrestrial species not found in other areas.

A wetland ecosystem consists of 3 basic rings: Upland, Riparian and Aquatic (see graphic below). Upland wooded areas are dominated by hardwood tree species and/or woody vines. Riparian areas consist of wet prairies or grasslands and can be dry or saturated depending on the wetland. The aquatic ring is the open water portion of the wetland. The boundaries between each ring are not well defined, with soil type and elevation determining which areas can sustain unique vegetation and which hold water most consistently.

Recognizing that wetlands are more than just their aquatic areas is the first key to realizing their full potential for community development. The outer dry rings cannot be taken for granted as unnecessary - they serve as the floodplain for the wetland. To maximize the benefits of your wetlands, plan your land uses accordingly. For example, filling in or moving wetlands is not the smartest, “best use” decision. Those special soils described above? They can take years to develop and are not easily recreated under any condition.

You should treat any existing, functioning wetlands as the crown jewels of your municipal stormwater system.

“Wetland SOILS are the real backbone

and workhorse of the wetland ecosystem.”

WHAT IS A WETLAND?

www.HeartLandsConservancy.org 7

The American Bottom in Illinois is the floodplain of the Mississippi River, extending from Alton, Illinois in the north to the mouth of the Kaskaskia River in the south. Since Euro-American settlement of the American Bottom in the early 1800s, there has been significant modification to the landscape of this region. Wetlands once comprised ~35% of the American Bottom. Contained within a ridge and swale complex, the wetlands provided habitat to an extremely wide diversity of plant and animal species (see map of American Bottom ca. 1800 at left).

Recognizing the fertility of the soil, settlers quickly tiled, drained, leveed and leveled much of the original landscape for agricultural purposes. Today, the resulting landscape reflects a generally dysfunctional natural hydrologic system, represented by canals, isolated wetlands and eroding streambanks. Interior flooding has become increasingly prevalent in the American Bottom over the past two decades. This has been exacerbated through the loss or degradation of wetlands and natural stream corridors, as well as the increase in impervious surfaces in rapidly expanding communities.

THE AMERICAN BOTTOM

The American Bottom was once comprised of 35% wetlands. 85% of those wetlands have been drained, tiled and leveled.

Despite a massive effort during the past 100+ years to prevent flooding through levees, average annual flood damage in the Mississippi Basin has increased 140%4. These “flood control” measures actually increase river stage and velocity. A flood management strategy that incorporates wetland preservation to hold precipitation where it falls and store flood waters is a smart strategy.

According to the National Flood Insurance Program, from 2002–2006, insured �ood losses in Illinois totaled more than $16.7 million5.

American Bottom


As you can see in the map below, Illinois has lost the majority of its wetlands. When wetlands are lost to agricultural, industrial or urban development, the critical benefits they provide are also lost. Though wetland loss in our region is high, important areas still exist that can provide the many values wetlands afford. It is imperative to restore wetlands in areas where doing so is feasible and, more simply, to protect those wetlands that remain natural and unaltered.

The most common value associated with wetland preservation is improved water quality. While some may associate the term “wetland” with murky water, the truth is that wetlands are excellent at filtering water and removing pollutants before water returns to the water table and, ultimately, the public water supply.

Wetlands also filter air and improve air quality. Wetlands act as carbon “sinks;” the water itself and the wetland vegetation actively pull excess carbon from the air creating an atmosphere that is more pleasant and healthier for plants, animals and humans. Wetland preservation can be an inexpensive solution for communities striving to meet air quality standards.

Wetlands also relieve community’s flooding issues. Wetlands act as a sponge, absorbing large amounts of overland flow during storm events and hold water when stream and river levels are high.

Many plant and animal species depend on the unique habitat that wetlands provide. A consistent source of water throughout the year is important to many bird and reptilian species. The native grasses, plants and trees associated with wetland ecosystems provide food, and wetlands are also a crucial link in travel corridors for migratory birds and larger mammals which travel throughout a greater landscape during their lifetime.

Lastly, wetlands contribute to residents’ quality of life. Wetlands provide scenic views and buffer differing land uses. Wetlands are optimal for passive recreation opportunities and are often used for science education and nature studies. Wetlands, like most green spaces, increase property values and meet home buyers’ need for a community that is clean and aesthetically pleasing.

Simply put, protect those wetlands that remain natural and unaltered.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR LIQUID ASSETS


Most of us don’t think about, or even realize, the amazing variety of services the environment around us provides every day. We call this myriad of benefits on which we depend “ecosystem services”. Ecosystem services range from the obvious–crops, fish, fresh water–to those that are harder to see–erosion regulation, carbon sequestration, and pest control. Whether we find ourselves in the city or a rural area, the ecosystems in which humans live provide goods and services that are very familiar to us, and which we often take for granted.

The graphic at right presents a summary of the literature on the monetary values of wetlands and other ecosystems, showing that wetland ecosystems can have among the highest values. Wetland ecosystems can be of particularly high value where they regulate water quality and flow, such as in the American Bottom, thus providing clean water and mitigating natural hazards to nearby towns and cities.

To put this into local perspective, A restored 999-hectare (~404 acre) wetland along the Illinois River could yield a net benefit of $1.99 million to the local economy, after taking into account all costs and benefits6.

Degraded water quality can be caused by a wide variety of culprits. Regardless of the source of the pollutants, wetlands are built to treat and clean the water they receive. The most difficult kind of pollution to mitigate is “non-point source pollution”, which contaminates our waterways through stormwater runoff. Many communities strive to treat stormwater where it falls, however, that is not always possible; wetlands are the second line of defense.

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

TEEB FOR WATER AND WETLANDS

09

Figure 2.2 Range of values of all ecosystem services provided by different types of habitat (Int.$/ha/yr2007/PPP-corrected)6

Table 2.1 Wetland Ecosystem Services and related ecosystem structures and functions

Source: building on Barbier 2011

Ecosystem services Ecosystem structure and function Examples of Valuation Studies

Coastal protection Attenuates and/or dissipates waves, buffers winds

Badola and Hussein (2005), Barbier (2007), Costanza et al. (2008), Das and Vincent (2009), Bayas et al. (2011)

Erosion control Provides sediment stabilisation and soil retention

Sathirathai and Barbier (2001)

Flood protection Water flow regulation and control Brouwer and van Elk (2004)

Water supply Groundwater recharge/dischargeAcharya and Barbier (2000, 2002),Smith and Crowder (2011)

Water purification Provides nutrient and pollution uptake, as well as retention, particle deposition

Byström (2000), Yang et al. (2008), Jenkins et al. (2010)

Carbon sequestration Generates biogeochemical activity sedimentation, biological productivity

Jenkins et al. (2010),Sikamäki et al. (2012)

Maintenance of temperature, precipitation Climate regulation and stabilisation

Raw materials and food Generates biological productivity and diversity

Sathirathai and Barbier (2001), Islam and Braden (2006)

Maintains fishing, hunting and foraging activities

Provides suitable reproductive habitat and nursery grounds, sheltered living space

Johnston et al. (2002), Barbier (2007), Smith (2007), Aburto-Oropeza et al. (2008), Sanchirico and Mumby (2009)

Tourism, recreation, education and research

Provides unique and aesthetic landscape, suitable habitat for diverse fauna and flora

Hammitt et al. (2001), Johnston et al. (2002), Carlsson et al. (2003), Othman et al. (2004), Brouwer and Bateman (2005), Birol et al. (2006), Birol and Cox (2007), Do and Bennet (2008), Jenkins et al. (2010).

Culture, spiritual and religious benefits, bequest values

Provides unique and aesthetic landscape of cultural, historic or spiritual meaning

Kwak et al. (2007)

1 10 100 1 000 10 000 100 000 1 000 000 10 000 000

Coral reefs (94)

Coastal wetlands (139)

Coastal systems (28)

Inland wetlands (168)

Tropical Forest (96)

Rivers and Lakes (15)

Temperate Forest (58)

Grasslands (32)

Woodlands (21)

Open oceans (14)

Note: Figure 2.2 shows range and average of total monetary value of the bundle of ecosystem services per biome. The total number of published value estimates per biome is indicated in brackets; the average value of the value range is indicated as a star sign. Source: de Groot et al. (2012) building on TEEB (2010).

WATER QUALITY

int.$/ha/y (international $ per hectare per year)

$4,280= maximum documented value of

WATER TREATMENTservices provided by inland wetlands (int.$/ha/y)


FRESH WATER SUPPLYservices provided by inland wetlands (int.$/ha/y)

1 hectare = 2.47 acres*


Southwestern Illinois is home to the second highest amount of carcinogens in the US EPA’s National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment. The State of Illinois ranks 7th overall in total greenhouse gas emissions, contributing 4% of the total US greenhouse gas emissions (An Inventory and Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in America’s Heartland, World Resources Institute).

Wetland protection and restoration are valuable tools in combating both an influx of greenhouse gases and impaired air quality. Wetlands improve air quality through carbon sequestration. Wetland plants pull carbon from the atmosphere and, in return, release oxygen. Carbon is stored in the living plants as well as in preserved plant biomass called peat (see graphic below). Filling, clearing, and draining wetlands results in a release of carbon into the atmosphere, providing further reason to protect wetland ecosystems.

In addition to the benefits of the aquatic species within American Bottom wetlands, they are also ideal habitat for Bottomland Hardwood Forests, another rapidly declining habitat. Each acre of growing bottomland hardwood forests will sequester 2,566 pounds of carbon each year, according to R. A. Birdsey in 1996 for American Forests. An example of the economic impact of this invisible work? A study of Chicago’s air quality concluded that the city’s trees alone produced $9.2 million (1994 dollars) worth of air quality improvements in just one year.

Another important consideration and benefit from clean air is, of course, health. A March 2011 peer reviewed EPA analysis shows that the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 prevented more than 160,000 premature deaths in 2010 and will prevent an estimated 230,000 deaths in 20208.

Businesses and the economy directly bene�t from the prevention of 17 million work days lost in 2020 due to poor air quality8.

habitat.noaa.gov

SequestrationCarbon dioxide in theatmosphere is taken in by trees and plants during the process of photosynthesis

Some carbon is lost back to the atmosphere through respiration. The rest is stored in the leaves, branches and roots of the plants.

StorageDead leaves, branches and roots containing carbon are buried in the soil, which is frequently, if not always, covered with tidal/flood waters. This oxygen-poor environment causes very slow breakdown of the plant materials, resulting in significant carbon storage.

AIR QUALITY


Their low topographic position relative to uplands allows wetlands to store and slowly release surface runoff, including flood waters. They accomplish this in two ways: by slowing and storing excess runoff. Trees and other wetland vegetation impede the movement of runoff and distribute it slowly and more evenly over the floodplain. In large rain events, highly functioning wetlands can hold up to five times the amount of peak flow that would otherwise become flood waters. This combined water storage and slowing action lowers flood heights and reduces erosion downstream and on adjacent lands. It also helps reduce floods overall and can prevent water-logging of agricultural lands. Wetlands within and downstream of urban areas are particularly valuable in this regard, counteracting the greatly increased rate and volume of surface-water runoff from pavement and buildings (see graphic).

The Mississippi River’s bottomland hardwood-riparian wetlands once stored at least 60 days of floodwater. They now store only 12 days of floodwater because most have been filled, leveed, or drained1.

A historic example: A “damages-avoided approach” was used to estimate the economic costs and benefits of wetlands preservation in the Charles River basin10. It was estimated that the loss of 8,442 acres of wetlands within the Charles River system would result in annual flood damages of over $17 million. For this reason, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers elected to preserve the wetlands rather than to construct extensive flood control structures. The Corps set out to acquire some 8,500 acres of wetlands in the Charles River drainage, completing this ambitious acquisition program in 198411.

STORMWATER & FLOODING


MODERATION OF EXTREME EVENTSservices provided by inland wetlands (int.$/ha/y)


REGULATION OF WATER FLOWSservices provided by inland wetlands (int.$/ha/y)

55% evapotranspiration

32% shallow infiltration

10% runoff

3% deep infiltration

39% evapotranspiration

50% runoff

8% shallow infiltration 3% deep

infiltration


Wetlands can be thought of as “biological supermarkets”. They produce great quantities of food that attract many animal species. Some animals consume above-ground live vegetation while others utilize the dead plant leaves and stems, which break down in the water. Some fish and wildlife live in wetlands for their entire lives, others require wetland habitat for only part of their life cycle. Wetlands provide important seasonal habitats, where food, water, and cover are plentiful.

Migratory waterfowl, including ducks, geese, and swans, use wetlands as resting, feeding, breeding, or nesting grounds for at least part of the year. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that up to 43% of the federally threatened and endangered species rely on wetlands for their survival, such as the Ornate Box Turtle, listed as threatened by the State of Illinois.

Public lands used for conservation instead of industrial development purposes are correlated with longer-term and more sustained economic growth, and high-amenity counties have three-times the rate of job growth than low-amenity counties. Businesses frequently move to these high-amenity areas because of their scenic beauty and environmental quality7.

In 1996 dollars, the recreational value of wetlands was $9 - $115 per acre per year. Arlington Wetlands, at 83-acres, can provide $1,092 - $13,944 in recreation bene�ts in today’s (2012) dollars11.Nature-related recreation is the fastest growing activity of the tourism industry – with an annual increase of about 30% since 1987, illustrating that Americans enjoy observing and photographing wildlife. Annually, wildlife viewers spend about $1,427,474 per year on food, transportation, equipment, and other costs in the state of Illinois. Much of this nature-based tourism involves birds, many of which are wetland-dependent. Birding has increased more quickly than other outdoor recreation activities, including skiing and golf.

The recreational benefits associated with wetlands, of course, also serve to educate. Schools can use these valuable ecosystems as outdoor laboratories, giving students a hands on understanding of biodiversity and plant-animal interactions.

Ornate Box Turtle (Kim Roman)

WILDLIFE & RECREATION

Special thanks to Hutchinson

Recreation & Design and Team Reil for supplying the 500’

floating boardwalk at Arlington Wetlands.


According to real estate reports (Representing Property with Wetlands and Riparian Areas, Montana Watercourse), property near open water is worth more and sells more quickly than other property. In academic studies, proximity to a protected riparian corridor increase a home’s value anywhere from 6% (Colby and Wishart, 2002) to 32% (Frost and Sternberg, 1992). People are willing to pay more for homes near protected wetland areas when they realize the benefits such as flood protection, erosion control, and aesthetic appeal.

For communities as a whole, wetlands are important in protecting water quality and reducing the need for costly water treatment facilities that are sometimes associated with increased population and home construction/ownership. Home values increased in the Chesapeake Bay 1.5 percent for every 100 fecal coliform counts removed per 100mL of water, and in the St. Mary’s watershed in Maryland home values decreased $1,086 for every milligram per liter increase in total suspended solids and $17,642 for every milligram per liter increase in dissolved inorganic nitrogen7.

PROPERTY VALUES

When located near a protected riparian area, such as a wetland, a home’s value can increase 6-32%.

Homes in Prairie Crossing (Grayslake, IL)


Wetlands alone are not the answer to a community’s issues with water quality, air quality or flood protection. There are other forms of “green infrastructure” that a community can adopt to augment wetland functions and values. By extending the mindset of wetlands-as-asset throughout your community’s infrastructure and open space network, the benefits outlined in this handbook can increase exponentially.

Rain gardens and vegetated swales are practices that replace concrete infrastructure with pleasing, low maintenance native vegetation to direct and absorb water from parking lots, subdivisions and along roadways. Filter strips or riparian buffers along streams decrease or even prevent streambank erosion, improve water quality and provide aesthetic and recreation values.

Permeable parking lots reduce stormwater volume flowing to receiving waters, slow the velocity of stormwater to receiving waters, improve water quality by removing solids and other contaminants, and help reduce urban heat island effects that occur with conventional parking lots.

A permeable parking lot is a porous, gap-graded, parking lot, with reduced sand or fines in between the pavers, which allows water to more easily drain through. While permeable parking lots and drives are less common at this time, the success of demonstration sites, such as the Arlington Wetlands parking lot, will promote the environmental and economic effectiveness of using permeable surfaces. Using green infrastructure, such as vegetated swales and permeable parking lots, multiplies the advantageous effects of protecting your community’s wetlands. Using these practices in tandem will dramatically increase the quality of natural resources in your community.

Contact HeartLands Conservancy for more information on these practices and other green infrastructure practices that work in tandem with wetlands.

Cross-section of a vegetated swale (extension.oregonstate.edu)

THE MULTIPLIER EFFECT

We would like to thank Kirchner Block and Brick, a division of Midwest Products Group, for providing the Aqua-Bric paving blocks used in the Arlington Wetlands

parking lot. For more information on permeable pavers for residential or commercial uses, visit http://www.mpgblock.com.


Throughout this handbook, the benefits of wetland preservation have been explained and encouraged. However, preservation is no longer possible in many locations. While the rate of wetland loss in Illinois continues, efforts at conserving and restoring wetlands throughout the nation have resulted in valuable outcomes. We can learn from these success stories.

Species that were rarely sighted have become more prolific following habitat restoration. Wood ducks are a prime example of a species saved through wetland protection. Considered a beautiful animal and popular game bird, wood duck populations dwindled in the late 19th and early 20th century. Wetland conservation efforts provided these birds the areas necessary to stabilize and increase their populations. The Bald Eagle, our national symbol, was also near extinction at one time in part from lack of habitat. The restoration of wetlands was a key component in the recovery of the bald eagle.

Erosion costs the U.S. economy $63 billion per year, and the restoration of cropland and rangeland to prevent this erosion would immediately yield a positive return on investment, with an estimated $7.52 in costs averted for every dollar invested in erosion prevention7.

Watershed restoration can also have positive economic impacts on cities and counties. Much like infrastructure development, which consistently yields a positive Return-On-Investment, watershed restoration can create long-term benefits to communities such as population growth and business creation because of increased natural amenities7.

WETLAND RESTORATION

Great Blue Heron(Kara Pritchard)

Invest in YOUR nature: The restoration of cropland and rangeland to incorporate wetlands saves $7.52 in erosion costs for every dollar invested.


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89º

38º

89º

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38º

41º

37º

42º

40º

88º

39º

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90º

91º

42º

40º

90º

91º

41º

88º

IllinoisRiver Valley

Rock

Kaskaskia

Sangamon

Fox

MississippiRiver Valley

Spoon

Embarras

LittleWabash

Big Muddy

Saline

Green

OhioRiver Valley

Iroquois

La Moine

WabashRiver Valley


Cache

Des Plaines

Mackinaw

Kishwaukee

Macoupin

Kankakee

WabashRiver Valley

Vermilion(Illinois Basin)

Vermilion(Wabash Basin)

Chicago/Calumet

LakeMichiganWatershed


WA

BA

SH

RI V

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OH

I O R I V E R

MIS

SI S

SI P

PI R

I VE

R

L a k eM i c h i g a n

Dix

Ina

Ava

Rio

Joy

Lee

Sims

Kell

Iuka

Iola

Alma

Huey

Ruma

Troy

Pana

Loda

Dana

Witt

Bath

Yale

Hume

Rome

Cuba

Time

Kane

Nebo

Ursa

Lima

Avon

Peru

Mark

Ladd

Buda

Ohio

Erie

Polo

Zion

Lena

Nora

Plano

Joppa

Ewing

Omaha

Carmi

Birds

Olney

Noble

Cisne

Xenia

Mason

Salem

Wamac

Tamms

Ullin

Cairo

Percy

Fults

Hamel

Alton

Elsah

Neoga

Casey

Emden

Cisco

Macon

Downs

Secor

Maroa

Mechanicsburg

Benld

Loami

Savoy

Sigel

Lerna

Paris

Homer

Ogden

Philo

Perry

Pearl

Barry

Bowen

Basco

Media

Lomax

Alsey

Ipava

Pekin

Monee

Crete

Elgin

Irwin

Odell

Essex

Mazon

Varna

Henry

Lacon

Galva

AlphaViolaAledo

Orion

MilanDover

Malta

Amboy

Dixon

Byron

Genoa

Davis

Cicero

Oswego

Geneva

Dowell

Roxana

Karnak

Herrin

Energy

Orient

Bonnie

Keenes

Maunie

AlbionBrowns

Sumner

Newton

Farina

Patoka

Vernon

Breese

Sesser

Cobden

Mounds

Thebes

Gorham

Cutler

Ashley

Tilden

Sparta

Hecker

Venedy

Shiloh

Marine

Worden

Onarga

Weldon De Land

ArthurArcola

Cowden

Oconee

OreanaTolono

Ludlow

Fisher

PaxtonRankin

MelvinSibley

Strawn

Gilman

Cabery

Chenoa

Colfax Anchor

Le Roy

McLean

Normal

Panola

Benson

Minonk

Morton

Eureka

Minier

Kenney

Dawson

Palmer

Harvel Ohlman

IrvingButler

Ramsey

Panama

Pawnee

Athens

Auburn

Thayer

Virden

Girard

Medora

Berlin

Easton

Topeka

Manito

Havana

Ashkum

Oblong

Jewett

Watson

Toledo

Kansas

Redmon

Newman

Sidell

Sidney Catlin

Tilton

MuncieUrbana

Atwood

Bement

Dunlap

Norris

Canton

Bryant

Macomb

Camden

Baylis Naples

Bluffs

Exeter

Milton

Eldred

Hardin

Payson

Quincy

Golden

Bentley

Ferris

Mendon

Warsaw

Maquon

Sciota

Chapin

Banner

Peoria

Nauvoo

Elwood

Morris

JolietMokena

Aurora

BerwynElburn

Skokie

Campus

Dwight

Seneca

Verona

Ransom

Ottawa

Tonica

McNabb

Wenona

Toluca

Oneida

Wataga

Seaton

Altona

Toulon

De Pue

CherryMalden

Wyanet

Moline Silvis

Colona

NewarkLisbon

DeKalb

Ashton

Leland

Nelson

Harmon

Walnut

Lyndon

Albany

Coleta

Lanark

Oregon

CapronRoscoe

Durand

Dakota

Ridott

Warren

Galena

PawPaw

Batavia

Swansea

Simpson

Belknap

RaleighGalatia

Cambria

Zeigler

Bluford

Enfield

Ridgway

Calhoun

Carlyle

Hoffman

De Soto

Makanda

Dongola

OlmstedPulaski

Chester

Tamaroa

Du Bois

Oakdale

Baldwin

Marissa

Red Bud

AvistonTrentonLebanon

Pierron

Cahokia

Madison

Grafton

Findlay

Hammond

Mattoon

Bethany

Windsor

Shumway

Herrick

Decatur

ArgentaSadorus

Pesotum

Mahomet

RantoulGifford

Elliott

Buckley

Roberts

Watseka

Milford

Sheldon

Donovan

Kempton

Forrest

De Witt

Clinton

Wapella

TowandaCarlock

El Paso

Gridley

Roanoke

RutlandLa Rose

Danvers

Atlanta

Lincoln

Forsyth

NianticBuffalo

Kincaid

Owaneco

Raymond Wenonah

NokomisCoalton

BinghamCoffeen

Sorento

Sherman

Chatham

Nilwood

Shipman

Hettick

Palmyra

Modesto

Waverly

Ashland

Tallula

Oakford

Delavan

Woodson

Hidalgo

Clifton

Wheeler

Greenup

Ashmore

Brocton

Oakland

Camargo Metcalf

Belgium

OakwoodFithian

Tuscola

Garrett

Elmwood

Clayton

Detroit

Glasgow

Fieldon

Hamburg

El Dara

Liberty

Augusta

Loraine

Raritan

Concord

Astoria

Vermont

Tremont

Addison

Peotone Beecher

Minooka

Lombard

Antioch

McHenry

Momence

Bradley

Reddick

GardnerKinsman

NaplateOglesby

Leonore

KangleyLostant

Dalzell

Wyoming

MineralAnnawan

Kewanee

Andover

Windsor

Hampton

Geneseo Manlius

Mendota

Chicago

Creston

Steward

Compton

TampicoCordova

Thomson

Savanna

Harvard

Marengo

Rockton

Adeline

Winslow

Shannon

Sheridan

Somonauk

Waterman

Royalton

Hoyleton

Buncombe

Golconda

JunctionEquality

Frankfort

Manhattan

Channahon

Shorewood

NewLenox

Yorkville

Grayslake

Algonquin

Woodstock

Granville

Henderson

Princeton

Sheffield

Cambridge

OakGrove

Andalusia

La Moille

Arlington

Woodridge

La Grange

Hanaford

Dahlgren

Bellmont

Edgewood

Kinmundy

Sandoval

Vandalia

Bartelso

Richview

Woodlawn

Elkville

Rockwood

Lenzburg

Waterloo

ColumbiaSmithton Freeburg

O'Fallon

Highland

Alhambra

Hartford

Bethalto

Brussels

Washburn

Humboldt

Sullivan

Altamont

St. Elmo

Moweaqua

Ivesdale

Foosland

PapineauEmington

Fairbury

Saybrook

Heyworth

Flanagan

Glenview

Hull

Ripley

Ellis Grove

Metamora

Mackinaw

StanfordHopedale

Riverton

Edinburg

Bulpitt

Fillmore

Staunton

Waggoner

Divernon

Cantrall

Brighton

Fidelity

Franklin

San Jose

Virginia

Robinson

Montrose

Marshall

Chrisman

Allerton

Danville

Fairview

MariettaBardolph

Industry

Florence

Hillview

Columbus

Plymouth

LaHarpe

Carthage

Elvaston

Hamilton

KirkwoodMonmouth

Abingdon

Bushnell

Browning

Glasford Mapleton

Bellevue

Symerton

Rockdale

ElmhurstOak Park

Gilberts

Palatine

Wauconda

Fox Lake

St. Anne

Pembroke

Kankakee

Chebanse

Bonfield

Herscher

Streator

Standard

Magnolia

SparlandVictoria

Bradford

Hennepin

Tiskilwa

Neponset

Woodhull

ReynoldsSherrard

Hinckley

CortlandRochelle

Shabbona

Sublette

SterlingMorrison

Chadwick

Kirkland

Kingston

RockfordFreeport

Stockton

Earlville

Mascoutah

Brookport

Goreville

Stonefort

Eddyville

Rosiclare

Broughton

West City

Macedonia

Fairfield

Grayville

Keensburg

Allendale

Claremont

Flat Rock

Stoy

Ste. Marie

St. PeterSmithboro Pittsburg

Keyesport

Irvington

Vergennes

Alto Pass

Nashville

Kaskaskia

Maeystown

MillstadtOkawville

New Baden

St. Jacob

Grantfork

Maryville

Roseville

Rushville

Lovington

Strasburg

Champaign

Bondville

Rossville

Hoopeston

Thawville

Martinton

Ellsworth

Mansfield

Armington

Spaulding

HillsboroGillespie

Rochester

Broadwell

Greenview

Kilbourne

Hartsburg

Liverpool

Palestine

Rose Hill

Dieterich

Effingham

Vermilion

Grandview

Westfield

Hindsboro

Indianola

Fairmount

Longview

Brimfield

St. David

Littleton

Meredosia

New Salem

Batchtown

Coatsburg

Gladstone

Galesburg

Knoxville

Good Hope

Gulf Port

Roodhouse

Lynnville

Lewistown

Pontoosuc

Braidwood

Hillcrest

Hillsdale

ForrestonHampshire

BelvidereWinnebago

RockCity

Elizabeth

Menominee

Millington

Brownstown

Metropolis

HarrisburgCrainville

BelleRive

MillShoals

Crossville

WestSalem

Bridgeport

Mount Erie

Louisville

Greenville

Germantown

Carbondale

Mill Creek

MoundCity

NewMinden

New Athens

Evansville

Belleville

St. LiboryAddieville

Pocahontas

Old Ripley

Williamson

Livingston

Caseyville

Wood River

EastAlton

ClearLake

LongCreek

Mount Zion

Tower Hill

Stewardson

Assumption

Monticello

Thomasboro

Wellington

Chatsworth Piper City

Allenville

Cooksville

Arrowsmith

Bellflower

DeerCreek

Washington

Harristown

Illiopolis

BlueMound

Stonington

Walshville

Litchfield

Middletown

Greenfield

Scottville

New Berlin

Petersburg

MasonCity

La Prairie

Charleston

Donnellson

Dorchester

Ridge Farm

Georgetown

Broadlands

St. Joseph

YatesCity

Smithfield

Versailles

Winchester

Pittsfield

Wilmington

Kampsville

Carrollton Rockbridge

Otterville

New Canton

Kinderhook

Plainville

West Point

Biggsville

Ellisville

Manchester

White Hall

Arenzville

Beardstown

Hanna City

Spring Bay

Wilmington

Romeoville

Plainfield

Naperville

Streamwood ParkRidge

NorthbrookBarrington

Lake Bluff

Grant Park

Aroma ParkBuckingham

Clark City

Braceville

Marseilles

Keithsburg La Fayette

NewBoston

GreenRock

Troy Grove

Maple Park

DeerGrove

Rock Falls

Port Byron

Leaf River

BurlingtonSchaumburg

Loves Park

Morristown

Pecatonica

Cedarville

Pearl City

Sugar Grove

Walnut Hill

Hamletsburg

McLeansboro

Spillertown

Freeman Spur

Christopher

Springerton

GoldenGate

Willow Hill

Parkersburg

Waltonville

Murphysboro

GrandTower

Willisville

Steeleville

NewDouglas

GlenCarbon

Centreville

CerroGordo

Dalton City

Shelbyville

Gibson City

Cissna Park

Beaverville

Farmer City

Bloomington

Waynesville

Warrensburg

Taylorville

MountOlive

Springfield

RoyalLakes

Bunker Hill

NewHolland

ForestCity

Murrayville

Hutsonville

Villa Grove

ChillicothePrinceville

Griggsville

ValleyCity

Jerseyville

Stronghurst

Table Grove

DunfermlineSouthPekin

NorthPekin

Creve CoeurEast Peoria

Bartonville

Bolingbrook

St. Charles

Des Plaines

LakeZurich

Lake Forest

Bourbonnais

ParkForest

Carbon Hill

Grand Ridge

Utica

Seatonville

Bishop Hill

Matherville

CoalValley

Rock IslandEast Moline New

Bedford

Rapids City

Lindenhurst

WonderLake

OrangevilleAppleRiver

Boulder Hill

New Burnside

Cave-In-Rock

Phillipstown

MountCarmel

Russellville

Johnsonville

CentralCity

Mount Vernon

Olive Branch

Coulterville

Fayetteville

Damiansville

Edwardsville

CollinsvilleGranite City

BeecherCity

Mount Auburn

Farmersville

Chesterfield

Green Valley

Jacksonville

Martinsville

London Mills

PrairieCity

Arbury Hills

CalumetCity

Hanover Park

CrystalLake

CentralCity

CarolStream

Prophetstown

MountMorris

VernonHills

PoplarGrove

SouthBeloit

Scales MoundEastDubuque

PingreeGrove

Creal Springs

Carrier Mills

Elizabethtown

Thompsonville

Johnston City

BurntPrairie

Lawrenceville

Junction City

Campbell Hill

Pinckneyville

PontoonBeach

Morrisonville

Williamsville

SouthernView

StandardCity

Chandlerville

Williamsfield

MoundStation

PleasantHill

Blandinsville

St. Augustine

Downers Grove

BuffaloGrove

Highland Park

North Chicago

SpringValley

Hollowayville

West Brooklyn

Milledgeville

MountCarroll

CherryValley

German Valley

Jeffersonville

WestFrankfort

Sailor Springs

East St.Louis

TaylorSprings

Mount Sterling

East Galesburg

KingstonMines

PeoriaHeights

MountProspect

South Streator

Franklin Grove

DavisJunction

MachesneyPark

New Grand Chain

PleasantPlains

Carpentersville

HoffmanEstates

Winthrop Harbor

North Henderson

BureauJunction

StillmanValley

St.Francisville

GermantownHills

SouthWilmington

GlendaleHeights

Prairiedu Rocher

VermilionHeights

Arlington Heights

Sun River Terrace

Elk GroveVillage

Lake inthe Hills

Belle Prairie City

SouthJacksonville

East CapeGirardeau

Anna

Muddy

Royal

Valier

Cullom

Gurnee

Alexis

Cypress

Pontiac

Norwood

Wheaton

Hanover

Eldorado

BoneGap

Du Quoin

Woodland

Saunemin

Oak Lawn

Waukegan

LaSalle

Hooppole

Sandwich

NewHaven

Jonesboro

WayneCity

North City

Eagarville

Teutopolis

Camp Point

Shawneetown

Schram City

Carlinville

Dallas City

Little York

CentralPark

CarbonCliff

CrescentCity

Mulberry Grove

East Gillespie

OldShawneetown

Washington Park

ChicagoHeights

Rosewood Heights

Cary

Marion

Libertyville

LEE

PIKE

WILL

COOK

MCLEAN

OGLE

KNOX

LA SALLE

HENRY

ADAMS

IROQUOIS

FULTON

BUREAU

WAYNE

SHELBY

KANE

CLAY

LIVINGSTON

LOGAN

LAKE

EDGAR

FORD

PEORIA

FAYETTE

CHAMPAIGN

VERMILION

MACOUPIN

HANCOCK

MADISON

PIATT

MACON

WHITE

DEKALB

MASON

COLES

CLARK

MARION

ST. CLAIR

CASS

POPE

CHRISTIAN

MERCER

UNION

PERRY

BOND

SANGAMON

GREENE

MORGAN

WHITESIDE

JASPER

JACKSON

TAZEWELL

WARREN

MCHENRY

KANKAKEE

CLINTON

DE WITT

SALINE

RANDOLPH

JO DAVIESS

GRUNDY

JEFFERSON

CARROLL

MONTGOMERY

JERSEY

WOODFORD

MONROE

MCDONOUGH

STARK

FRANKLIN

HAMILTON

DOUGLAS

WASHINGTON

WINNEBAGO

EFFINGHAM

STEPHENSON

SCHUYLER

BROWN

BOONE

CRAWFORD

SCOTT

MARSHALL

MENARD

JOHNSON

RICHLAND

WILLIAMSON

KENDALL

MOULTRIE

GALLATIN

LAWRENCE

ROCK ISLAND

HENDERSON

CALHOUN

MASSAC

WABASH

CUMBERLAND

PULASKI

HARDIN

EDWARDS

ALEXANDER

PUTNAM

DUPAGE

MajorWatershedsof Illinois

Illinois State Water Surveyhttp://www.isws.illinois.edu

217-244-5459

University of Illinoishttp://www.illinois.edu

MAP SERIES 2000-01

This map illustrates general boundaries of major watersheds ofIllinois. A watershed, or drainage basin, in this context is the landarea that drains directly to a common stream, river, or lake. Watershed boundaries shown on this map were drawn from land surface topographic mapping; map features are accurate only to the scale of the source mapping. Additionally, artificial drainage structures such as canals may convey water across topographic watershed boundaries in some areas (not all shown on this map).

On this map, shades of blue and green indicate watersheds in the Upper Mississippi River basin. Watersheds shown in shades of green are located in the Illinois River basin. Shades of yellow and brown indicate watersheds in the Ohio River basin. The Cache River drains to both the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Land draining to Lake Michigan (Great Lakes basin) is shaded pink. (Drainage in Chicago/Calumet watershed area is engineered to flow to the Illinois River basin under most circumstances.) Communities are displayed on this map as space allowed.

Map compiled by Sally McConkey, Kathy Brown, and Phil Graff.

Scale 1:720,000

0 10 20 30 405Miles

±Lakes > 50 acresMajor RiversCommunities#

Hydrologic Unit and Watershed Boundaries: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Cartography and Geospatial Center, 2009.Scale 1:24,000.Major Rivers: U.S. Geological Survey Digital Line Graph file, Hydrography layer, 1980-1986. Scale 1:250,000Lakes: Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, 1996. Scale 1:100,000.Communities: Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Geographic Information System, 1996. Point locations are approximately the center of the community.

MODIFIED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM THEMES

Illinois State Water Survey

Revised 01/11

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!!!!!!KaskaskiaKaskaskiaKaskaskiaKaskaskiaKaskaskiaKaskaskiaKaskaskiaKaskaskiaKaskaskiaKaskaskiaKaskaskiaKaskaskia

SangamonSangamonSangamonSangamonSangamonSangamonSangamonSangamonSangamonSangamonSangamonSangamonSangamonSangamonSangamonSangamon

EmbarrasEmbarrasEmbarrasEmbarrasEmbarrasEmbarras

LittleLittle

MackinawMackinawMackinawMackinawMackinawMackinawMackinawMackinawMackinawMackinawMackinawMackinawMackinawMackinaw

(Wabash Basin)(Wabash Basin)(Wabash Basin)(Wabash Basin)(Wabash Basin)(Wabash Basin)

IolaIola

AlmaAlma

PanaPana

LodaLoda

WittWitt

YaleYale

OlneyOlneyOlney!

Olney!

NobleNoble

MasonMasonMason

NeogaNeogaNeogaNeoga

CiscoCisco

MaconMacon

DownsDowns

MaroaMaroa

MechanicsburgMechanicsburg

SavoySavoySavoySavoySavoySavoySavoy

SigelSigelSigel

LernaLerna

PhiloPhilo

NewtonNewton

FarinaFarina

PatokaPatoka

VernonVernon

WeldonWeldon De LandDe Land

ArthurArthurArcolaArcola

CowdenCowdenCowden

OconeeOconee

OreanaOreanaTolonoTolonoTolono

LudlowLudlow

FisherFisher

PaxtonPaxton

MelvinMelvinSibleySibleySibleySibley

StrawnStrawn

Colfax AnchorColfax Anchor

Le RoyLe RoyLe Roy

McLeanMcLean

NormalNormal

MinierMinier

KenneyKenney

PalmerPalmer

OhlmanOhlmanOhlman

RamseyRamsey

JewettJewett

WatsonWatson

ToledoToledo

NewmanNewman

SidneySidney

UrbanaUrbanaUrbana

AtwoodAtwood

BementBement

CalhounCalhoun

FindlayFindlay

HammondHammond

MattoonMattoon

BethanyBethany

WindsorWindsor

ShumwayShumway

HerrickHerrick

DecaturDecatur

ArgentaArgentaSadorusSadorus

PesotumPesotum

MahometMahometMahometMahometMahometMahometMahomet

RantoulRantoulGiffordGiffordGifford

ElliottElliott

BuckleyBuckley

RobertsRoberts

De WittDe Witt

ClintonClinton

WapellaWapella

TowandaTowandaCarlockCarlock

DanversDanvers

AtlantaAtlanta

LincolnLincoln

ForsythForsythForsyth

NianticNianticBuffaloBuffalo

KincaidKincaidKincaid

OwanecoOwaneco

WenonahWenonah

NokomisNokomisCoaltonCoalton

BinghamBinghamBinghamCoffeenCoffeenCoffeen

HidalgoHidalgo

WheelerWheeler

GreenupGreenupGreenup!Greenup!

AshmoreAshmore

OaklandOaklandOakland

CamargoCamargoTuscolaTuscola

GarrettGarrett

EdgewoodEdgewood

KinmundyKinmundy!

Kinmundy!

VandaliaVandaliaVandalia

HumboldtHumboldt

SullivanSullivan

AltamontAltamontAltamont

St. ElmoSt. Elmo

MoweaquaMoweaquaMoweaquaMoweaqua

IvesdaleIvesdale

FooslandFoosland

SaybrookSaybrookSaybrookSaybrook

HeyworthHeyworthHeyworth

MackinawMackinaw

StanfordStanford

EdinburgEdinburg

FillmoreFillmore

MontroseMontrose

Ste. MarieSte. MarieSte. Marie

St. PeterSt. PeterSmithboroSmithboro PittsburgPittsburg!

Pittsburg!

KeyesportKeyesportKeyesport

LovingtonLovington

StrasburgStrasburg

ChampaignChampaign

BondvilleBondville

ThawvilleThawville

EllsworthEllsworth

MansfieldMansfield

ArmingtonArmington

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Tower HillTower Hill

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ThomasboroThomasboro

AllenvilleAllenville

CooksvilleCooksville

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IlliopolisIlliopolis

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StoningtonStoningtonStonington

CharlestonCharleston

BroadlandsBroadlands

St. JosephSt. JosephSt. Joseph

Willow HillWillow Hill

CerroCerroCerroGordoGordo

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ShelbyvilleShelbyville

Gibson CityGibson CityGibson City

Farmer CityFarmer City

BloomingtonBloomington

WaynesvilleWaynesvilleWaynesville

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TaylorvilleTaylorville

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Mount AuburnMount Auburn

MorrisonvilleMorrisonville

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Mulberry GroveMulberry Grove

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ElmhurstOak Park

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Fox Lake

St. Anne

Pembroke

Kankakee

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Bonfield

Herscher

Streator

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SparlandVictoria

Bradford

Hennepin

Tiskilwa

Neponset

Woodhull

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Hinckley

CortlandRochelle

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Sublette

SterlingMorrison

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Kirkland

Kingston

RockfordFreeport

Stockton

Earlville

Mascoutah

Brookport

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Stonefort

Eddyville

Rosiclare

Broughton

West City

Macedonia

Fairfield

Grayville

Keensburg

Allendale

Claremont

Flat Rock

Stoy

Ste. Marie

St. PeterSmithboro Pittsburg

Keyesport

Irvington

Vergennes

Alto Pass

Nashville

Kaskaskia

Maeystown

MillstadtOkawville

New Baden

St. Jacob

Grantfork

Maryville

Roseville

Rushville

Lovington

Strasburg

Champaign

Bondville

Rossville

Hoopeston

Thawville

Martinton

Ellsworth

Mansfield

Armington

Spaulding

HillsboroGillespie

Rochester

Broadwell

Greenview

Kilbourne

Hartsburg

Liverpool

Palestine

Rose Hill

Dieterich

Effingham

Vermilion

Grandview

Westfield

Hindsboro

Indianola

Fairmount

Longview

Brimfield

St. David

Littleton

Meredosia

New Salem

Batchtown

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Knoxville

Good Hope

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Roodhouse

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Hillcrest

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Elizabeth

Menominee

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Mount Erie

Louisville

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Germantown

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Mill Creek

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Old Ripley

Williamson

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Wood River

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ClearLake

LongCreek

Mount Zion

Tower Hill

Stewardson

Assumption

Monticello

Thomasboro

Wellington

Chatsworth Piper City

Allenville

Cooksville

Arrowsmith

Bellflower

DeerCreek

Washington

Harristown

Illiopolis

BlueMound

Stonington

Walshville

Litchfield

Middletown

Greenfield

Scottville

New Berlin

Petersburg

MasonCity

La Prairie

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Donnellson

Dorchester

Ridge Farm

Georgetown

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St. Joseph

YatesCity

Smithfield

Versailles

Winchester

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Wilmington

Kampsville

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Otterville

New Canton

Kinderhook

Plainville

West Point

Biggsville

Ellisville

Manchester

White Hall

Arenzville

Beardstown

Hanna City

Spring Bay

Wilmington

Romeoville

Plainfield

Naperville

Streamwood ParkRidge

NorthbrookBarrington

Lake Bluff

Grant Park

Aroma ParkBuckingham

Clark City

Braceville

Marseilles

Keithsburg La Fayette

NewBoston

GreenRock

Troy Grove

Maple Park

DeerGrove

Rock Falls

Port Byron

Leaf River

BurlingtonSchaumburg

Loves Park

Morristown

Pecatonica

Cedarville

Pearl City

Sugar Grove

Walnut Hill

Hamletsburg

McLeansboro

Spillertown

Freeman Spur

Christopher

Springerton

GoldenGate

Willow Hill

Parkersburg

Waltonville

Murphysboro

GrandTower

Willisville

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NewDouglas

GlenCarbon

Centreville

CerroGordo

Dalton City

Shelbyville

Gibson City

Cissna Park

Beaverville

Farmer City

Bloomington

Waynesville

Warrensburg

Taylorville

MountOlive

Springfield

RoyalLakes

Bunker Hill

NewHolland

ForestCity

Murrayville

Hutsonville

Villa Grove

ChillicothePrinceville

Griggsville

ValleyCity

Jerseyville

Stronghurst

Table Grove

DunfermlineSouthPekin

NorthPekin

Creve CoeurEast Peoria

Bartonville

Bolingbrook

St. Charles

Des Plaines

LakeZurich

Lake Forest

Bourbonnais

ParkForest

Carbon Hill

Grand Ridge

Utica

Seatonville

Bishop Hill

Matherville

CoalValley

Rock IslandEast Moline New

Bedford

Rapids City

Lindenhurst

WonderLake

OrangevilleAppleRiver

Boulder Hill

New Burnside

Cave-In-Rock

Phillipstown

MountCarmel

Russellville

Johnsonville

CentralCity

Mount Vernon

Olive Branch

Coulterville

Fayetteville

Damiansville

Edwardsville

CollinsvilleGranite City

BeecherCity

Mount Auburn

Farmersville

Chesterfield

Green Valley

Jacksonville

Martinsville

London Mills

PrairieCity

Arbury Hills

CalumetCity

Hanover Park

CrystalLake

CentralCity

CarolStream

Prophetstown

MountMorris

VernonHills

PoplarGrove

SouthBeloit

Scales MoundEastDubuque

PingreeGrove

Creal Springs

Carrier Mills

Elizabethtown

Thompsonville

Johnston City

BurntPrairie

Lawrenceville

Junction City

Campbell Hill

Pinckneyville

PontoonBeach

Morrisonville

Williamsville

SouthernView

StandardCity

Chandlerville

Williamsfield

MoundStation

PleasantHill

Blandinsville

St. Augustine

Downers Grove

BuffaloGrove

Highland Park

North Chicago

SpringValley

Hollowayville

West Brooklyn

Milledgeville

MountCarroll

CherryValley

German Valley

Jeffersonville

WestFrankfort

Sailor Springs

East St.Louis

TaylorSprings

Mount Sterling

East Galesburg

KingstonMines

PeoriaHeights

MountProspect

South Streator

Franklin Grove

DavisJunction

MachesneyPark

New Grand Chain

PleasantPlains

Carpentersville

HoffmanEstates

Winthrop Harbor

North Henderson

BureauJunction

StillmanValley

St.Francisville

GermantownHills

SouthWilmington

GlendaleHeights

Prairiedu Rocher

VermilionHeights

Arlington Heights

Sun River Terrace

Elk GroveVillage

Lake inthe Hills

Belle Prairie City

SouthJacksonville

East CapeGirardeau

Anna

Muddy

Royal

Valier

Cullom

Gurnee

Alexis

Cypress

Pontiac

Norwood

Wheaton

Hanover

Eldorado

BoneGap

Du Quoin

Woodland

Saunemin

Oak Lawn

Waukegan

LaSalle

Hooppole

Sandwich

NewHaven

Jonesboro

WayneCity

North City

Eagarville

Teutopolis

Camp Point

Shawneetown

Schram City

Carlinville

Dallas City

Little York

CentralPark

CarbonCliff

CrescentCity

Mulberry Grove

East Gillespie

OldShawneetown

Washington Park

ChicagoHeights

Rosewood Heights

Cary

Marion

Libertyville

LEE

PIKE

WILL

COOK

MCLEAN

OGLE

KNOX

LA SALLE

HENRY

ADAMS

IROQUOIS

FULTON

BUREAU

WAYNE

SHELBY

KANE

CLAY

LIVINGSTON

LOGAN

LAKE

EDGAR

FORD

PEORIA

FAYETTE

CHAMPAIGN

VERMILION

MACOUPIN

HANCOCK

MADISON

PIATT

MACON

WHITE

DEKALB

MASON

COLES

CLARK

MARION

ST. CLAIR

CASS

POPE

CHRISTIAN

MERCER

UNION

PERRY

BOND

SANGAMON

GREENE

MORGAN

WHITESIDE

JASPER

JACKSON

TAZEWELL

WARREN

MCHENRY

KANKAKEE

CLINTON

DE WITT

SALINE

RANDOLPH

JO DAVIESS

GRUNDY

JEFFERSON

CARROLL

MONTGOMERY

JERSEY

WOODFORD

MONROE

MCDONOUGH

STARK

FRANKLIN

HAMILTON

DOUGLAS

WASHINGTON

WINNEBAGO

EFFINGHAM

STEPHENSON

SCHUYLER

BROWN

BOONE

CRAWFORD

SCOTT

MARSHALL

MENARD

JOHNSON

RICHLAND

WILLIAMSON

KENDALL

MOULTRIE

GALLATIN

LAWRENCE

ROCK ISLAND

HENDERSON

CALHOUN

MASSAC

WABASH

CUMBERLAND

PULASKI

HARDIN

EDWARDS

ALEXANDER

PUTNAM

DUPAGE

MajorWatershedsof Illinois

Illinois State Water Surveyhttp://www.isws.illinois.edu

217-244-5459

University of Illinoishttp://www.illinois.edu

MAP SERIES 2000-01

This map illustrates general boundaries of major watersheds ofIllinois. A watershed, or drainage basin, in this context is the landarea that drains directly to a common stream, river, or lake. Watershed boundaries shown on this map were drawn from land surface topographic mapping; map features are accurate only to the scale of the source mapping. Additionally, artificial drainage structures such as canals may convey water across topographic watershed boundaries in some areas (not all shown on this map).

On this map, shades of blue and green indicate watersheds in the Upper Mississippi River basin. Watersheds shown in shades of green are located in the Illinois River basin. Shades of yellow and brown indicate watersheds in the Ohio River basin. The Cache River drains to both the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Land draining to Lake Michigan (Great Lakes basin) is shaded pink. (Drainage in Chicago/Calumet watershed area is engineered to flow to the Illinois River basin under most circumstances.) Communities are displayed on this map as space allowed.

Map compiled by Sally McConkey, Kathy Brown, and Phil Graff.

Scale 1:720,000

0 10 20 30 405Miles

±Lakes > 50 acresMajor RiversCommunities#

Hydrologic Unit and Watershed Boundaries: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Cartography and Geospatial Center, 2009.Scale 1:24,000.Major Rivers: U.S. Geological Survey Digital Line Graph file, Hydrography layer, 1980-1986. Scale 1:250,000Lakes: Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, 1996. Scale 1:100,000.Communities: Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Geographic Information System, 1996. Point locations are approximately the center of the community.

MODIFIED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM THEMES

Illinois State Water Survey

Revised 01/11


A watershed, also known as a drainage basin, is the area of land that drains to a particular body of water. Watersheds often cross city, county, state or even national boundaries. These political and jurisdictional divisions create real challenges in effective watershed planning.

A watershed consists of surface water - lakes, streams, reservoirs, and wetlands - and all the underlying ground water. A watershed is defined by high points such as ridges and hilltops. Ridges and hills that separate two watersheds are called the drainage divide. Water hits these high points and flows into smaller streams, then larger streams or bodies of water. Some water infiltrates and flows underground. The water in streams will continue to flow to larger streams, then a major river, and then to the sea.

The land cover and land use within a watershed strongly affects the quality of water within that watershed and the quality of water that is released into rivers. This is why planning for wetland preservation or wetland mitigation within your watershed boundaries is important. Watersheds can be as small as a footprint or large enough to encompass all the land that drains water into the Mississippi River. Smaller watersheds are “nested” within larger watersheds. In the map on the opposite page you can find the watershed where you live (“What is a Watershed?”, U.S. Geological Survey).

WHAT IS A WATERSHED?

For additional guidance, your community may wish to consult the EPA’s “Water

Quality Scorecard.” This scorecard offers policy options for protecting and improving

water quality across different scales of land use and across

multiple municipal departments (see Resources & References).

Contact HeartLands Conservancy for help in completing yours.


The American Planning Association (APA), the national leader in policy, has produced and formally adopted a policy guide for wetlands (see Resources & References). Wetlands, whether preserved or converted, have a significant impact on land use. The policy guide is summarized below.

• Wetlands in their natural state perform ecological functions, which are vitally important to the environment and economic health of the nation and impossible or costly to replace.

• Wetlands protect the quality of surface waters, provide a natural means of flood control, improve water quality, and are also sources of fish and wildlife habitat.

• Wetlands need to be recognized as part of a complex, interrelated, hydrologic system.• The APA supports legislation and other actions to achieve the goal of no overall net loss of the

nation’s remaining wetland resource base. • Both conservation and regulatory approaches typically have not been effective in preventing

continued, large and small-scale losses. • Community and watershed-based planning and other non-regulatory approaches are important in

protecting wetlands and other sensitive natural resources.• Replacement of existing wetlands should be considered only after avoidance and minimization and

only where the wetland function in-kind can be replaced within the same sub-watershed.

“Community and watershed-based planning...are important in protecting wetlands and other sensitive natural resources.” - APA’s Policy Guide on Wetlands

POLICY 1. The APA supports a sound compensatory mitigation policy based on science.

POLICY 2. The APA supports public-private partnerships to improve wetlands management. Such partnerships should include [the] use of land trusts, conservation easements and the purchase of development rights.

POLICY 3. The APA supports Congress amending Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and enacting additional legislation as necessary to address the protection of isolated wetlands.

POLICY 4. The APA supports funding and authorizing legislation at all levels of government to establish wetland information clearinghouses.

POLICY 5. The APA supports state and federal legislation to provide funding...to research, classify, and map wetlands and their functions, and perfect restoration and mitigation procedures.

POLICY 6. The APA supports research and demonstration projects in the utilization of created wetlands as solutions to non-point source water quality problems, including but not limited to stormwater management.

POLICY 7. The APA supports efforts for educational and technical assistance programs, for both planning professionals and the general public, on the values of wetlands, and management strategies to protect and enhance wetlands. This would include, but not be limited to, wetlands protection in comprehensive land use planning, zoning, development review processes and performance standards.

POLICY 8. The APA supports augmenting the protection provided by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act by enacting state legislation or local ordinances such as providing protection for isolated wetlands and providing incentives to encourage landowners to protect existing wetlands.

POLICY 9. The APA supports farm policy legislation that contains provisions that encourage private landowners to protect, conserve, enhance and restore wetlands.

THE POLICY OF WETLAND PRESERVATION


How can communities create effective local wetland protection programs? APA’s Planning Advisory Service has produced a report and model ordinance that communities can use.

The authors also provide examples of local regulations that, while not aimed specifically at wetlands, can be used to protect them from drainage and development. Included in the report is a broad sampling of language gathered from an APA survey of local ordinances that are part of wetland protection programs, along with commentary.

Table of Contents:1. What are wetlands, and why are they important?

Why wetlands are important & current status and trends of U.S. wetlands

2. Federal and state regulatory programsSection 404 and Section 10 permitsState wetland regulatory programsThe takings issue

3. Local wetland regulationsZoning for wetland protectionElements of a wetland protection ordinanceAdministration of regulations

4. Other types of regulations and protection techniquesFloodplain/Subdivision/Sanitary codes and other regulations; other protection techniques

5. A model non-tidal wetland protection ordinance

Many communities and private landownersare grappling with how to best protect

their existing wetland resources or restore someof the thousands of acres the nation has alreadylost. In addition to its federal regulatory role inprotecting wetlands, EPA helps states, tribes, andlocal governments develop their own programs forwetland protection and restoration by providingfunds to help them get started. There are neverenough public funds available, however, EPAalso works with communities to leverage nonfederal funding for their wetland projects.

Federal Funding ProgramsA number of federal programs are specificallydesigned to help support wetland projects,including the following:

Wetland Program Development Grants.Support state, tribal, and local government

Where Can I Get Funding to Starta Wetland Project?Once you’ve decided to take on a wetland protection,restoration, or management project, funding maybecome an issue. Many state, tribal, and localgovernments, as well as some well-established non-profitorganizations, are already familiar with financingprograms and projects. But for many community groupsseeking funds might be a new experience.

efforts to develop new or enhance existingwetland protection, management, andrestoration programs (EPA). www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/grantguidelines

Five-Star Restoration Program. Throughpartner organizations, provides funds tosupport community-based wetland andriparian education/restoration projects (EPA).www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/restore/5star

Wetlands Reserve Program. Provides land-owners with financial incentives to restoreand protect wetlands (U.S. Department ofAgriculture).www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp/

National Coastal Wetlands ConservationGrant Program. Provides matching grantsfor the acquisition, restoration, management,or enhancement of coastal wetlands (U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service).www.fws.gov/CEP/cwgcover.html

North American Wetlands Conservation ActGrant Program. Provides matching grantsto carry out wetland conservation and restora-tion projects in the United States, Canada,and Mexico (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).northamerican.fws.gov/NAWCA/grants.htm

NOAA Restoration Center Programs. Usesmoney received from various damage claimsto restore saltmarshes and other wetlands.They also have a community-basedrestoration grant program. (NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration).www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/restoration

Many other broad-based federal programs fundwetland projects if they meet the programrequirements.

The Caddo IndianTribe received a Five-Star Restoration Grantto restore a wetlandalong the WashitaRiver in Oklahoma.Students from thenearby RiversideIndian School, whicheducates at-risk NativeAmerican youth fromaround the country,are helping torevegetate the wetlandwith ecologically andculturally significantplant species. Thesespecies, which onceplayed an importantrole in the CaddoIndian tribal heritage,are now absent fromthe area due tograzing and invasivespecies. This projectnot only initiates theecological restorationof the wetland butalso will result inimportant culturaland educationalbenefits for the CaddoIndian Tribe and otherNative Americanyouth.

United States Office of Water EPA 843-F-01-002fEnvironmental Protection Office of Wetlands, September 2001Agency Oceans and Watersheds (4502T)

Dav

e D

avis

With funding from EPA and other state and federalagencies, the Alaska Department of EnvironmentalConservation initiated a statewide effort to developa functional assessment approach, called the hydro-geomorphic approach, to managing the state’smore than 175 million acres of wetlands. Approx-imately 43 percent of Alaska is covered by wetlands.

Heron

ZONING & ORDINANCES

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a 2-page summary document “Funding Wetland Projects” (see Resources & References). Federal, state and other funding sources are included.


Everyone has an impact on water quality.

While citizen involvement is not always necessary or appropriate there are a number of ways to build citizen support for the protection of wetlands and water resources in your community.

• Encourage residents to dispose of trash properly; batteries, pharmaceuticals, oils, and other products can negatively impact water quality if not properly recycled or disposed. Some communities partner with drugstores, law enforcement, and others to host special events where residents can come to dispose of these potentially hazardous items.

• It is also important that residents think about their landscaping: native vegetation requires less watering and promotes a healthier ecosystem in your community.

• Promote the use of rock or hardwood mulch rather than cypress mulch; the deforestation of cypress trees for mulch is degrading wetlands in the southern United States.

• Careful application of fertilizers to lawns and gardens is also important. If leaked into waterways these chemicals can have a hypoxia-like effect on your local streams and lakes.

• Use public buildings to set an example of these lawn & garden practices. Youth groups in your community, such as 4-H and scouts, can partner with city personnel to install native plantings at City Hall, the public library or other community buildings.

• Allow civic organizations, school groups, or private businesses to “adopt” a stream, wetland or lake. These groups are sometimes called “stream teams” and are helpful is assisting with long-term maintenance of a water body.

• Annual clean-up events are another way to integrate residents into the care and maintenance of your community’s water resources. Some communities plan litter pick-up or stream clean-up events in spring around Earth Day (April 22).

Allow civic organizations, school groups, or private businesses to “adopt” a stream, wetland or lake. These groups are sometimes called “stream teams” and are helpful is assisting with long-term maintenance of a water body.

Annual clean-up events are another way

in spring around Earth Day (April 22).

Don’t Flush Drugs!

HOW DO CITIZENS GET INVOLVED?


1. “America’s Wetlands: Our Vital Link Between Land and Water & Wetland Values and Functions”, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/toc.cfm

2. U.S. EPA’s fact-sheet “Funding Wetland Projects” at www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/facts/funding.pdf3. “What is a Watershed?”,U.S. Geological Survey, visit: ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watershed.html4. Hey, D. L. and Philippi, N. S. (1995), Flood Reduction through Wetland Restoration: The Upper Mississippi

River Basin as a Case History. Restoration Ecology, 3: 4–17.5. Illinois Flood Fact Sheet - Summer Season 2007: http://www.state.il.us/iema/planning/Documents/Prog_

Flood_FactSheet.pdf6. Prato, T., & D. Hey (2006, February). Economic analysis of wetland restoration along the Illinois River. Journal

of the American Water Resources Association. 125-131.7. Economic Benefits Arising from Watershed Restoration: http://www.wildlandscpr.org/road-riporter/economic-

benefits-arising-watershed-restoration8. The Clean Air Act: Protecting Human Health and the Environment Since 1970 as the US Economy has Grown:

http://www.epa.gov/air/sect812/economy.html9. Birdsey, R.A. (1996) Regional Estimates of Timber Volume and Forest Carbon for Fully Stocked Timberland,

Average Management After Final Clearcut Harvest. In Forests and Global Change: Volume 2, Forest Management Opportunities for Mitigating Carbon Emissions, eds. R.N. Sampson and D. Hair, American Forests, Washington, DC.

10. Thibodeau, F.R. and B.D. Ostro. 1981. An Economic Analysis of Wetland Preservation. Journal of Environmental Management, 12:19-30.

11. Leshcine, T. Wellman, K. “The Economic Value of Wetlands: Wetlands’ Role in Flood Protection in Western Washington. ” Washington State Department of Ecology., 1997

• US Army Corps of Engineers - St. Louis District: www.mvs.usace.army.,il/permits/illinois.htm• US Fish & Wildlife Service: ww.fws.gov• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - Illinois: www.il.nrcs.usda.gov

• Illinois Department of Natural Resources: www.dnr.state.il.us or (618) 594-3627• Illinois Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.state.il.us; Bureau of Water: (217) 782-3362

• Bond County: (618) 644-0555• Clinton County: (618) 526-7919• Madison County: (618) 656-7300• Monroe County: (618) 939-6181

• Randolph County: (618) 443-4381• St. Clair County: (618) 233-5583• Washington County: (618) 327-3078

Soil & Water Conservation Districts - Illinois Counties www.aiswcd.org

Federal Agencies

• HeartLands Conservancy: www.HeartLandsConservancy.org• Prairie Rivers Network - Illinois Stream Team: www.prairierivers.org• The National Great Rivers Research & Education Center: www.ngrrec.org• American Planning Association - “Policy Guide on Wetlands”: www.planning.org/policy/guides/adopted/

wetlands

Nonpro�t and Community Organizations

State Agencies

RESOURCES & REFERENCES


For more information about Arlington Wetlands, visit the Collinsville Area Recreation District’s website at www.collinsvillerec.com/wetland - this is a great way to get school-age kids engaged with wetland education!

Our Mission is to provide leadership and solutions to sustain and enrich the diverse environmental resources of Southwestern Illinois

Our Vision is communities with healthy and sustainable air, land and water resources for current and future generations

406 East Main StreetMascoutah, Illinois 62258

www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

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