Jo  Daviess  County    Water  Resource  Management  Plan  

 DRAFT:  February  5,  2016  

           

 

Acknowledgements    The  League  of  Women  Voters  of  Jo  Daviess  County  facilitated  a  two-­‐year  planning  process  to  create  this  document.  The  Planning  Committee  was  comprised  of  the  following  individuals:       Jeff Winders: Jo Daviess County Association of Townships Chair, Guilford Township Road Commissioner

Greg Thoren: Jo Daviess County Farm Bureau Board Member Jay Solomon: University of Illinois Extension Environment & Energy Stewardship Educator Bob Melcher: Jo Daviess Agricultural Coalition Independent Helpers Monthly Meeting (JDACIHMM) Representative John McCool: Warren Treatment Plant Operator Rich Mattas: Galena Rotary President Mike Malon: Jo Daviess County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Resource Conservationist Steve Keeffer: Jo Daviess County Highway Engineer Emily Lubke: Galena Territory Association Natural Resources Manager Jeff Horn: Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation (JDCF) Land Stewardship Specialist Anne Heller: Jo Daviess County Association of Township Supervisors Chair, Vinegar Hill Township Clerk Dan Harms: Landscape Contractor Nicole Haas: Illinois Association of Groundwater Professionals (IAGP) Ex. Dir., Jo Daviess County SWCD Director Linda Delvaux: Jo Daviess County Building & Zoning Administrator Bonnie Cox: League of Women Voters (LWV) of Jo Daviess County President, LWV of Illinois Board Member Matt Calvert: Jo Daviess County Director of Environmental Health Cindy Bonnet: Helping Others Maintain Environmental Sustainability (HOMES) member, Farm Insurance Merri Berlage: Jo Daviess County Board Vice Chair, County Board Development & Planning Committee Chair John Bell: Natural Resource Conservation Service Beth Baranski: LWV of Jo Daviess County, Water Protection Partnership Project Coordinator  

       

This  plan  could  not  have  been  completed  without  assistance  from  the  following:    

The  Village  of  Elizabeth  &  Farm  Bureau  for  their  hospitality    providing  meeting  space  for  the  planning  committee  

 The  Galena  Lions  Club  for  providing  grant  funding    

for  Jo  Daviess  County  Soil  &  Water  Conservation  District  watershed  mapping    for  the  county,  municipalities,  townships  and  resort  communities  

     

Table  of  Contents        Section  I:  Jo  Daviess  County  Water  Resource  Management  Plan  Executive  Summary  Goals  &  Objectives  Action  Plan    Section  II:    Work  Manual  &  References    

                 available  at  http://www.sites.google.com/site/jodaviesscountywatershedplan/         Jo  Daviess  County  Water  Resources       Driftless  Area,  MLRA  103       Complex  Hydrogeology           ISGS  Circular  589         Roger  Windhorn  Paper  

  Issues  &  Opportunities         County  Infrastructure  Requirements         Need  for  Trained  Wastewater  Management  Professionals       Questions  remaining    

Surface  Water       What  is  a  Watershed?       The  Apple-­‐Plum  and  Yellow  Creek  Watersheds         Apple-­‐Plum  Rapid  Assessment         Blackhawk  Hills  RC&D  Watershed  Plan       Stormwater  Management         Jo  Daviess  County  Comprehensive  Plan  

Jo  Daviess  County  Hazards  Mitigation  Plan         Measuring  Reductions  in  Stormwater  Damage         Stormwater  Management  Ordinances       Available  Water  Quality  Data         IEPA  Monitoring           Regular  sampling           Volunteer  Lake  Monitoring           RiverWatch  Volunteer  Stream  Biological  Monitoring         Other  Monitoring  Programs         Precipitation           Sierra  Club         Iowater       Impaired  Waterbodies         303D  list           IL  Integrated  Water  Quality  Report  and  Section  303(d)  List         TMDLs           Galena/Sinsinawa  Rivers  Watershed  TMDL         Selection  of  Priority  Watershed  for  further  work       Illinois  Nutrient  Loss  Reduction  Strategy         Summary         Efforts  to  Achieve  Reductions           Point  Source           Non-­‐point  Source  

    Questions  remaining       Ground  Water       What  is  an  Aquifer?  

Available  Water  Quality  Data     Driftless  Area  Karst  of  Northwestern  Illinois  and  its  effects  on  Groundwater  Quality  Documentation  of  quantities  pumped  and  costs  of  treatment  Monitoring  Programs  Issues  &  Opportunities     Sealing  of  Abandoned  Wells  

Need  for  additional  information    Rock  River  Groundwater  Assessment  ISGS/ISWS  Sampling  and  Analysis  

    Questions  remaining          

Best  Management  Practices           Stormwater  Management       Cisterns/tanks/rain  barrels       Rain  Gardens/bioswales       Composting       Cover  crops       Green  Roofs       Permeable  surfaces       Detention/retention  basins       Terraces       Wetland  protection/restoration/creation       Woodland  ravine  erosion  control       Streambank  Stabilization       Native  perennial  plantings     Groundwater  Management       Eliminate  leaks       Install  water  saving  devices  and  appliances       Develop  water-­‐efficient  habits       Use  drought  resistant  plants       Water  plants  efficiently       Store  rainwater  for  use       Reuse  greywater  when  possible          Preliminary  Survey  Results    Meeting  Agendas  and  Minutes    Jo  Daviess  County  Watershed  Maps  

         

       

 Executive Summary

Jo Daviess County is located in the far northwest corner of Illinois. Much of Jo Daviess County’s topography is rugged, typical of the Driftless Area. Jo Daviess County makes up the largest part of the Apple-Plum Watershed, which drains directly into the Mississippi River (the Mississippi River defines the county’s western border). The county relies on groundwater from the Galena-Platteville and the St. Peter Sandstone aquifers for its drinking supply. Because of the area’s fractured carbonate bedrock and shallow soils, there is greater interaction here between surface and groundwater than in many other settings, and the nature of the relationship between the two is complex, variable, and not entirely understood. This plan has been created to identify and assess issues related to surface water and groundwater in the county and to document consensus about the best way to manage water resources going forward. Science-based stewardship and evidence-based decision-making have been the guiding principals of this planning process. A group of individuals representing a wide range of interests and expertise in the county committed to a two-year planning effort that started in June of 2014. Information about the planning committee and process as well as reference materials and the most current draft of the plan document are available at http://www.sites.google.com/site/jodaviesscountywatershedplan/. The local issues identified during the planning process were found to fall into the broad categories of stormwater management, groundwater management, and water quality. The topography, soils and geology of the county create challenges in each of these areas. The plan incorporates information about these interconnected issues and proposes actions designed to meet the challenges. Stormwater resulting from heavy rain or snowfalls can cause damage to structures, public infrastructure, and the landscape. Pollutants and sediments are picked up and carried by stormwater flowing over the land or impervious surfaces. More intense and frequent storm events combined with decreased surface permeability result in increased flash flooding, water quality degradation, and damage to streambanks and infrastructure. By managing stormwater runoff, we can reduce erosion, contamination, and infrastructure damage. Groundwater is water present in that part of the soil, sediment or rock that is saturated with water. Natural and manmade pathways in the bedrock provide conduits that can allow surface water to combine with groundwater. Because of this, contaminants in surface water pose a degree of risk to groundwater quality. The county has an abundant groundwater supply that meets current needs, but withdrawal impacts and sustainable withdrawal maximums are not currently known. Understanding the issues related to groundwater quantity and quality will allow for the responsible use of groundwater resources. Water quality impacts the general health of ecosystems and the various human uses associated with water resources (drinking water, recreation, etc.). The quality of both surface water and groundwater is impacted by land use and management practices that include elements of conservation, engineering, chemistry and biology. Responsible water resource management calls for an understanding of the factors that affect water quality and the impact that these factors have on the natural and human environment. This plan documents consensus on three broad goals designed to achieve incremental, sustainable water resource improvements within the county:

§ Enhance  stormwater  management  § Enhance  groundwater  management  § Protect/maintain/improve  water  quality  

 

Residential*and*Commercial*Sites Land*Owners/Managers Local*GovernmentGoal*#1:*Enhance*Stormwater*Management******Objective*#1:*Increase*stormwater*detention/retention! A.Implement*practices*that*increase*stormwater*detention/retention*

such*as:A.Implement*practices*that*increase*stormwater*detention/retention*such*as:

A.Implement*practices*that*increase*stormwater*detention/retention*such*as:

!!!!"!Cisterns,!tanks!and!rain!barrels !!!!"!Detention/retention!basins !!!!"!Detention/retention!basins!!!!"!Rain!gardens!and!bio"swales !!!!"!terraces !!!!"!rain!barrels!and!cisterns!!!!"!Composting!and!cover!crops !!!!"!Bio"swales/filter!strips/grass!waterways/terraces !!!!"!Green!infrastructure!!!!!"!Green!roofs !!!!"!Cover!crops !!!!!!!(e.g.!Bio"swales/filter!strips/grass!waterways/terraces)!!!!"!Permeable!surfaces !!!!"!perennial!plantings !!!!"!Cover!crops!!!!"!Improved!soil!absorbency !!!!"!wetland!protection/restoration/creation !!!!"!native!perennial!plantings

!!!!"!erosion!control!in!woodland!ravines !!!!"!wetland!protection/restoration/creation* !!!!"!streambank!stabilization !!!!"!erosion!control!in!woodland!ravines! !!!!"!green!roofs! * !!!!"!streambank!stabilization! ! !!!!"!permeable!surfaces! !B.*Document*practice*implementation,*quantify*benefits* B.*Document*practice*implementation,*quantify*benefits* B.*Consider*stormwater*management*ordinances!!!!"!Voluntary!reporting !!!!"!Voluntary!reporting !!!!"!identify!model!ordinance!features!!!!"!SWCD!sale!of!rain!barrels !!!!"!EQIP!funds!expended !!!!"!update!existing!ordinances!to!achieve!stormwater!management!goals!!!!"!SWCD!rain!garden!funding ! !!!!"!adopt!ordinances!to!achieve!stormwater!management!goals

C.*Document*maintenance*of*conservation*practices C.*Integrate*water*resource*management*into*infrastructure*****Planning*and*Projects

!!!!!**Objective*#2:*Measure*reductions*in*stormwater*damage* A.*Document*actual*damage,*including*expenses,*to*establish*baseline A.*Document*actual*damage,*including*expenses,*to*establish*baseline A.*Document*actual*damage,*including*expenses,*to*establish*baseline

B.*Document*projects/repairs/practices*implemented*following*damage B.*Document*projects/repairs/practices*implemented*following*damage B.*Document*projects/repairs/practices*implemented*following*damage

C.*Document*longNterm*results*of*implementation C.*Document*longNterm*results*of*implementation C.*Document*longNterm*results*of*implementation

D.*Complete*costNbenefit*analysis*of*realNworld*local*examples D.*Complete*costNbenefit*analysis*of*realNworld*local*examples D.*Complete*costNbenefit*analysis*of*realNworld*local*examples

Goal*#2:*Enhance*Groundwater*Management*******Objective*#1:*Promote*responsible*groundwater*use A.*Implement*practices*that*conserve*groundwater*such*as: A.*Implement*practices*that*conserve*groundwater*such*as: A.*Implement*practices*that*conserve*groundwater*such*as:

!!!!"!Eliminate!leaks !!!!"!Eliminate!leaks !!!!"!Eliminate!leaks!!!!"!Install!water!saving!devices!and!appliances !!!!"!Install!water!saving!devices!and!appliances !!!!"!Install!water!saving!devices!and!appliances!!!!"!Develop!water!efficient!habits !!!!"!Develop!water!efficient!habits !!!!"!Develop!water!efficient!habits!!!!"!Use!drought!resistant!plants !!!!"!Use!drought!resistant!plants !!!!"!Use!drought!resistant!plants!!!!"!Water!plants!efficiently !!!!"!Water!plants!efficiently !!!!"!Water!plants!efficiently!!!!"!Store!rainwater!for!use !!!!"!Store!rainwater!for!use !!!!"!Store!rainwater!for!use!!!!"!Reuse!water!when!possible!(greywater) !!!!"!Reuse!water!when!possible!(greywater) !!!!"!Reuse!water!when!possible!(greywater)! ! !B.*Create*and*maintain*local*awareness*of*groundwater*resources B.*Create*and*maintain*local*awareness*of*groundwater*resources B.*Create*and*maintain*local*awareness*of*groundwater*resources!!!!"!Estimate!quantity!pumped !!!!"!Estimate!quantity!pumped !!!!"!Estimate!quantity!pumped!!!!"!Participate!in!Rock!River!groundwater!assessment!study !!!!"!Participate!in!Rock!River!groundwater!assessment!study !!!!"!Participate!in!Rock!River!groundwater!assessment!study

********Objective*#2*N*Monitor*groundwater*management A.*Document*volume*of*use A.*Document*volume*of*use A.*Document*volume*of*use

B.*Document*treatment*costs B.*Document*treatment*costs B.*Document*treatment*costs

Goal*#3:*Protect/Maintain/Improve*Water*Quality********Objective*#1*N*Increase*implementation*of*practices*that A.Implement*practices*that*protect/maintain/improve*water*quality A.Implement*practices*that*protect/maintain/improve*water*quality A.Implement*practices*that*protect/maintain/improve*water*quality**********************************protect/maintain/improve*water*quality !!!!"!Composting!and!cover!crops !!!!"!Septic!system!maintenance!&!inspection !!!!"!Composting!and!cover!crops

!!!!"!Planting!deep!root!native!perennial!plants !!!!"!Annual!well!testing !!!!"!Planting!deep!root!native!perrenial!plants!!!!"!Incorporating!conservation!buffers !!!!"!Cover!crops !!!!"!Incorporating!buffer!strips!!!!"!Improving!soil!absorbency !!!!"!Improving!soil!absorbency !!!!"!Improving!soil!absorbency!!!!"!Reduced!use!of!household!hazardous!substances !!!!"!rotational!grazing !!!!"!Reduced!use!of!household!hazardous!substances!!!!"!Proper!use!and!disposal!of!household!hazardous!waste !!!!"!fencing!livestock!away!from!waterways !!!!"!Proper!use!and!disposal!of!household!hazardous!waste!!!!"!Proper!disposal!of!pharmaceuticals !!!!"!wetland!protection/restoration/creation !!!!"!Proper!disposal!of!pharmaceuticals!!!!"!Reduced!use!of!de"icing!salt !!!!"!4Rs!for!nutrient!application !!!!"!Reduced!use!of!de"icing!salt!!!!"!Responsible!fertilizer/herbicide/pesticide!application !!!!"!erosion!control!in!woodland!ravines !!!!"!improved!educational!signage!at!storm!drains!!!!"!Proper!septic!system!design/construction/maintenance !!!!"!Golf!course!conservation!practices !!!!"!wetland!protection/restoration/creation!!!!"!Proper!well!design/construction/maintenance !!!!"!incorporating!buffer!strips !!!!"!Proper!well!design/construction/maintenance!!!!"!Sealing!of!abandoned!wells !!!!"!Proper!well!design/construction/maintenance !!!!"!Sealing!of!abandoned!wells!!!!"!Golf!course!conservation!practices !!!!"Sealing!of!abandoned!wells* !B.*Amplify*ability*to*share*results B.*Amplify*ability*to*share*results B.*Amplify*ability*to*share*results!!!!"!Create!"documentaries"!on!local!projects !!!!"!Create!"documentaries"!on!local!projects !!!!"!Create!"documentaries"!on!local!projects!!!!"!Organize!regular!tours!of!local!projects !!!!"!Organize!regular!tours!of!local!projects !!!!"!Organize!regular!tours!of!local!projects!!!!"!Document!practices!in!IA,!MN!&!WI!Driftless!Area !!!!"!Document!practices!in!IA,!MN!&!WI!Driftless!Area !!!!"!Document!practices!in!IA,!MN!&!WI!Driftless!Area

C.*Improve*OnNSite*Information*for*Landowners C.*Improve*OnNSite*Information*for*Landowners C.*Improve*OnNSite*Information*for*Landowners

********Objective*#2*N*Obtain*scientific*documentation*of*ground*and A.*Obtain*and*integrate*groundwater*sampling*and*analysis A.*Obtain*and*integrate*groundwater*sampling*and*analysis A.*Obtain*and*integrate*groundwater*sampling*and*analysis

**********************************surface*water*quality !!!!"!Determine!natural!and!current!background!water!chemistry !!!!"!Determine!natural!and!current!background!water!chemistry !!!!"!Determine!natural!and!current!background!water!chemistry!!!!"!Develop!ongoing!monitoring!program !!!!"!Develop!ongoing!monitoring!program !!!!"!Develop!ongoing!monitoring!program! ! !B.*Obtain*and*integrate*IEPA*surface*water*monitoring*results B.*Obtain*and*integrate*IEPA*surface*water*monitoring*results B.*Obtain*and*integrate*IEPA*surface*water*monitoring*results! ! !C.*Obtain*and*integrate*County*Health*Department*well*data C.*Obtain*and*integrate*County*Health*Department*well*data C.*Obtain*and*integrate*County*Health*Department*well*data! ! !D.*Develop*local*surface*water*volunteer*monitoring*program D.*Develop*local*surface*water*volunteer*monitoring*program D.*Develop*local*surface*water*volunteer*monitoring*program!

Incremental,*Sustainable*Improvement:*Water*Resource*Management*Plan*Goals*&*Objectives*N*11/2/15*DRAFT

Jo Daviess County Water Resource Management Action Plan

2016-2020

2016 League of Women Voters of Jo Daviess County - Present Water Resource Management Plan to local boards for possible adoption and have local board members complete survey. League of Women Voters of Jo Daviess County - If IEPA 319 Grant Funding to complete watershed plan for priority sub-watershed identified in Water Resource Management Plan is received, initiate planning process. If grant is not awarded, consider alternative options to move forward. Jo Daviess Agricultural Coalition Independent Helpers Monthly Meeting – Schedule presentation by representative from Turkey River watershed in Iowa on the culvert/detention projects successfully implemented there. Invite County Board members to attend. Document presentation and create an informational piece that can be shared and made accessible online. Jo Daviess County SWCD – Complete ACL Watershed Plan, Begin projects if IEPA 319 Grant Funding is received Jo Daviess County Highway Engineer – Identify potential pilot culvert/detention projects for Jo Daviess County. League of Women Voters of Jo Daviess County – Secure U.S. Fish & Wildlife grant funding to match $5,000 private donation and $2,000 in-kind contribution for sampling of 16 springs. Jo Daviess County SWCD/University of Illinois Extension/JDCF – Initiate, facilitate and promote local RiverWatch Training to develop volunteer biological monitoring of local streams. League of Women Voters of Jo Daviess County – Obtain funding to conduct Watershed Game training and obtain copies of the Watershed Game for local use. Jo Daviess County SWCD, Jo Daviess County Environmental Health Dept., League if Women Voters of Jo Daviess County League if Women Voters of Jo Daviess County – Present abandoned well sealing project to Galena Rotary for possible adoption. Wastewater Treatment Operators – Work with Highland Community College to provide program to train local wastewater treatment operators.

2017 League of Women Voters of Jo Daviess County – Convene Water Protection Partnership and Watershed Planning Committee to review and update Water Resource Management Plan. Jo Daviess County SWCD, Jo Daviess County Environmental Health Dept. – Locate and seal abandoned wells. Jo Daviess County SWCD/University of Illinois Extension/JDCF – Initiate, facilitate and promote local RiverWatch Training to develop volunteer biological monitoring of local streams. Jo Daviess County Highway Engineer – complete culvert/detention projects for Jo Daviess County and monitor to evaluate benefits. Jo Daviess County SWCD – Continue work on ACL Watershed projects if IEPA 319 Grant Funding is received League of Women Voters of Jo Daviess County - Analyze survey results and develop an education plan working with others. Consider incorporating ideas generated during Water Resource Management planning process:

§ Create  “roll  out  the  barrel”  education  program  to  encourage  homeowner  water  detention  using  rain  barrels  and  cisterns  and  document  impacts  –  LWV,  SWCD,  Extension  

§ Create  “Rooting  for  clean  water”  program  to  encourage  planting  of  deep-­‐rooted  native  perennials  

and  document  impact–  LWV,  Extension,  Greenhouses  

§ Facilitate  “The  Watershed  Game”  with  public  officials,  schools,  service  groups  

§ Organize  tours  of  BMPS  and  create  local  documentaries,  awards  program?  

§ Use  “Stormwater  from  the  Ground  Up”  program    

§ Invite  representatives  from  Dubuque  to  share  success  with  best  management  practices   League of Women Voters of Jo Daviess County – Work with League of Women Voters Upper Mississippi River Region Inter-League Organization (LWV UMMRR ILO) on landowner leases relative to conservation practices. League if Women Voters of Jo Daviess County – Facilitate sub-watershed planning process and administer IEPA 319 grant League of Women Voters of Jo Daviess County – Participate in IDNR Rock River Groundwater Assessment

2018 League of Women Voters of Jo Daviess County – Convene Water Protection Partnership and Watershed Planning Committee to review and update Water Resource Management Plan. League of Women Voters of Jo Daviess County – Facilitate sub-watershed planning process and administer IEPA 319 grant, consider seeking funding for projects identified in the planning process, and consider seeking funding to complete a watershed plan for another sub-watershed. Jo Daviess County SWCD, Jo Daviess County Environmental Health Dept. – Locate and seal abandoned wells. Jo Daviess County SWCD/University of Illinois Extension/JDCF – Initiate, facilitate and promote local RiverWatch Training to develop volunteer biological monitoring of local streams. Jo Daviess County Highway Engineer – complete culvert/detention projects for Jo Daviess County and monitor to evaluate benefits. Jo Daviess County SWCD – Complete work on ACL Watershed projects if IEPA 319 Grant Funding is received 2019 League of Women Voters of Jo Daviess County – Convene Water Protection Partnership and Watershed Planning Committee to review and update Water Resource Management Plan. Jo Daviess County SWCD, Jo Daviess County Environmental Health Dept. – Locate and seal abandoned wells. Jo Daviess County SWCD/University of Illinois Extension/JDCF – Initiate, facilitate and promote local RiverWatch Training to develop volunteer biological monitoring of local streams. Jo Daviess County Highway Engineer – complete culvert/detention projects for Jo Daviess County and monitor to evaluate benefits. 2020 League of Women Voters of Jo Daviess County – Convene Water Protection Partnership and Watershed Planning Committee to review and update Water Resource Management Plan. Jo Daviess County SWCD, Jo Daviess County Environmental Health Dept. – Locate and seal abandoned wells. Jo Daviess County SWCD/University of Illinois Extension/JDCF – Initiate, facilitate and promote local RiverWatch Training to develop volunteer biological monitoring of local streams. Jo Daviess County Highway Engineer – complete culvert/detention projects for Jo Daviess County and monitor to evaluate benefits.

                               

Jo  Daviess  County    Water  Resources  

                             

               

Surface  Water                                                                    

RiverWatch  Volunteer  Stream  Monitoring  Action  Plan  Goal  2:  Objective  2:  Item  D  –  Develop  local  surface  water  volunteer  monitoring  program      This  Action  Plan  Item  was  created  based  on  the  understanding  that  regular  stream  water  sampling  and  lab  analysis  would  be  very  expensive  and  -­‐  while  helpful  and  desirable  for  an  improved  understanding  of  the  water  quality  in  Jo  Daviess  County  streams  -­‐  would  be  difficult  to  maintain  financially.  A  biological  monitoring  program  run  by  volunteers  can  provide  a  cost-­‐effective,  long-­‐term  reference  point  for  the  health  of  our  streams  based  on  the  quantity  and  type  of  macro-­‐invertebrates  found  over  time,  and  can  also  provide  an  opportunity  to  raise  our  level  of  awareness  and  understanding  of  stream  health.  

 Each  year,  a  schedule  of  RiverWatch  training  workshops  is  made  available.  The  daylong  workshops  consist  of  a  morning  lab  session,  a  lunch  period  (participants  are  responsible  for  their  lunch  -­‐  many  bring  a  sack  lunch),  and  an  afternoon  field  training.  Those  completing  the  training  are  encouraged  to  select  a  stream  location  to  monitor  on  one  day  every  year  in  the  spring,  and  this  information  is  collected  and  recorded  by  the  RiverWatch  Coordinator  at  NGRREC.  Citizen  Scientists  are  required  to  pass  an  annual  online  recertification  test  to  allow  the  data  they  submit  to  be  considered  “tier-­‐one”  data.  The  workshop  cost  for  2016  is  $50,  the  schedule  is  provided  below,  and  online  registration  is  available  through  the  RiverWatch  Website:  http://www.ngrrec.org/riverwatch/.  For  more  information  about  the  program,  contact  the  RiverWatch  Coordinator,  Matt  Young  (mpyoung@lc.edu;  618/468-­‐2784).    Larry  McPheron,  a  retired  science  teacher  from  Winnebago  County  has  been  trained  to  run  workshops  and  could  possibly  do  one  in  Jo  Daviess  County.  A  location  with  microscopes,  access  to  an  appropriate  stream  for  the  field  portion  of  the  workshop,  and  a  minimum  of  6  attendees  would  be  required  to  have  a  local  workshop.  

   The  RiverWatch  program  was  initiated  by  the  Illinois  Department  of  Natural  Resources  (IDNR)  in  1995,  and  there  was  an  active  RiverWatch  group  in  Jo  Daviess  County  from  1996  to  2009.    Nancy  Winter  was  the  RiverWatch  Monitoring  Kit  Host  during  this  period,  and  data  exists  from  the  work  done  then  (available  for  download  at  https://sites.google.com/site/jodaviesscountywatershedplan/  under  “Reference  Materials”).  In  2006,  the  responsibility  for  the  program  was  transferred  to  the  National  Great  Rivers  Research  and  Education  Center,  located  in  Alton,  Illinois.  

The  Illinois  RiverWatch  Network  is  a  statewide,  non-­‐profit,  volunteer  stream  monitoring  program.  Volunteers  are  trained  and  certified  as  “Citizen  Scientists”  to  monitor  and  protect  a  local  stream.  Upon  completing  training  and  becoming  certified,  volunteers  adopt  a  stream  site  and  examine  indicators  of  water  quality  like  stream  habitat  and  the  diversity  of  species  such  as  dragonfly  nymphs,  beetle  larva,  midges,  and  snails.  Citizen  Scientists  play  an  important  role  in  helping  identify  potentially  degraded  waters  and  areas  that  may  need  better  protection.       -­‐-­‐-­‐  From  RiverWatch  website

 In  2015,  the  Jo  Daviess  County  Soil  &  Water  Conservation  District  (SWCD),  the  University  of  Illinois  Extension,  and  the  League  of  Women  Voters  of  Jo  Daviess  County  (LWV)  collaborated  to  schedule  and  promote  a  RiverWatch  workshop  in  Jo  Daviess  County.  The  workshop  was  held  on  May  9th  at  the  Apple  Canyon  Lake  Owners  Club,  with  11  in  attendance.  The  “2015  RiverWatch  Stream  Quality  Report”  included  beginning  on  page  6  of  the  34th  issue  of  “Illinois  RiverWatcher,”  is  available  for  download  at  https://sites.google.com/site/jodaviesscountywatershedplan/  under  “Reference  Materials.”    

                                                                     RiverWatch  Coordinator,  Matt  Young,  demonstrates  net  technique  at  Jo  Daviess  County  Workshop  

 Mike  Malon,  Resource  Conservationist  with  the  Jo  Daviess  County  SWCD  is  now  the  RiverWatch  Monitoring  Kit  Host  for  Jo  Daviess  County,  and  the  materials  for  monitoring  by  those  certified  are  available  for  loan  at  the  SWCD  offices  (815/858-­‐3418  ext.  111;  227  North  Main  Street,  Elizabeth  IL).                                                

       

           

Ground  Water      

Best  Management  Practices      

Preliminary  Survey  Results    

Meeting  Agendas  and  Minutes    

Jo  Daviess  County  Watershed  Maps