Case Study

Watershed Planning & BMP Implementation – Natural Areas

Comprehensive Watershed Planning and BMP Engineering and Implementation Services were provided for a 19-acre lake within a 350 acre natural area. Peck Lake is a popular recreational complex owned by the Geneva Park District. The lake has been impacted by common carp, flooding, nutrient loading, turbidity, and poor aquatic habitat. Planning and Engineering analyses included watershed mapping, hydrologic modeling, nutrient modeling, development impact assessment, groundwater recharge, lake surveys, lake depth and sediment volume maps, and other assessments. Watershed Plan recommendations were provided for carp control, wetland restoration, flood control, water quality improvement, shoreline stabilization, recreational enhancement, native aquatic plantings, and fish species re-introductions. Surveys included water depth, sediment thickness, silt volume, fish surveys, wildlife surveys, and multi-year water quality assessments. Plan Implementation included multiple levels of construction. Watershed-wide BMPs were engineered and designed based on hydrologic modeling, nutrient modeling, and sediment transport modeling to provide optimal water quality improvement for the watershed. Carp population immigration from downstream areas has been controlled. In-Lake BMPs have been installed included in-lake hemi-marsh habitat islands, living wetland shorelines, and inlet water quality controls. The lake has been enhanced into a more diverse ecosystem with improved water quality, wetland habitat and recreational opportunity. Grant funding was obtained for implementation of recommendations. Rare species in the area including Bald Eagle, and breeding Sandhill Cranes.