Lower DuPage River Watershed Coalition
River Restoration in Plainfield
Through the Bioassessment Program, we identified a fourteen mile stretch of the DuPage River that has a very uniform geometry or shape—relatively straight with a flat bottomed consisting of uniformly shaped substrate and very uniform flow across the width of the river. Uniformity is not good when it comes to rivers and streams. The purpose of this project is to diversify flow patterns and aquatic habitat with the goal of increasing diversity of fish and macroinvertebrates in this stretch of the river.
Working in suburban stream corridors is challenging, putting curves back in the river, especially one this size is not an option. So we worked to design a project that would achieve our goals of flow and habitat diversity within the confines of the stream corridor.
This location was chosen partly because it is one of the few places that we have publicly owned land on both sides of the river, making coordination and implementation a little easier for our first major habitat restoration project. The extent of the project area is from Route 126 on the north to Renwick Road on the south with differing treatments with East and West Electric Parks.
The project was developed with input from our partners/landowners, the Village of Plainfield and the Plainfield Park District. The Village of Plainfield is also overseeing the contracting and construction of the project with guidance from Coalition staff.
Project Components
Diversify Stream Flow
This will be accomplished by installing stream barbs, also referred to as rock weirs, in two sections along both sides of the stream. The stream barbs will concentrate flow towards the center of the stream where it will run a little faster. This will create eddies or swirls of water behind the tips and slower water between them. Along the bank between the barbs natural materials including root wads, tree trunks and vegetation will help to provide habitat and refuge area for small fish and for macroinvertebrates. The stream barbs will be mostly under water at normal flows and will not impact flow at high or flood stages.
Installing Riffles
Riffles are rocky areas in a stream where larger rocks or boulders stick up out of the streambed, break up flow, and help re-aerate the water. They also create fast and slow areas that attract different kinds of macroinvertebrates and fish. Two riffles will be installed between Route 126 and the pedestrian bridge.
Examples of installed riffles on a nearby restoration project
Engineered Log Jam Enhancement
Towards the south end of the project just upstream of Renwick Road Bridge there is a small island in the middle of the river. This island will be enhanced with some logs and branches tied in place to create instream habitat for fish and macroinvertebrates. If you like to fish, especially for smallmouth bass, you know that they love to hide out in submerged tree branches or logs. We will be trying to replicate that type of habitat with this component of the project.
Riparian and Stream Bank Restoration
The riparian area is the strip of land along a river or stream. When planted with deep-rooted, native vegetation it helps to stabilize the stream bank, filter rain water as it flows to the river and provides important habitat for the adult stages of many of our aquatic macroinvertebrates like dragonflies and damselflies.
The project will include the removal of a section of failed concrete wall on the west bank of the river downstream of Route 126, regrading the stream bank and planting it with native vegetation. A rock toe will be installed along the water line to help provide protection while all of the vegetation comes in. While depicted as a line of rock in the rendering below, it will have a more natural appearance over time.
Invasive Plant Removal
Additionally, invasive trees and shrubs will be removed or thinned along parts of the corridor to make room for more native plants and trees. This part is maybe one of the most stark and visible changes associated with this project. While the removal of trees and the ugly part of any construction project will be very visible this winter, the end result will be green and full of life come next summer. The yellow areas below show where removal and thinning of invasive trees and brush will occur.
Swale Enhancements
The final component of the project will include creating or enhancing five swales along the west side of the river. These are areas where drainage currently flows directly into the river. The work will include excavating and reshaping soil from the end of a pipe down to the river to create a more natural and vegetated swale that will help to filter stormwater before it gets to the river.
What to Expect During Construction
- This is a construction project, but it will result in restoring natural habitats in and along the DuPage River.
- It will be messy and kind of ugly this winter, but as the plugs and trees are planted in the spring, things will green up quickly next summer.
- Invasive, weedy trees and shrubs will be cut first to make space for the project to be constructed and new plants and trees will be the last step of the project.
- The parks will remain open on both sides of the river throughout the project, but…
- Trails will be temporarily closed throughout the winter as different parts of the construction or moving of equipment or materials are done. Please follow posted signs for temporary trail closures.
- Due to this project and other work being conducted by the Village of Plainfield, the river will be closed to canoeing, kayaking, tubing, etc. from early October to early spring 2025.
Questions?
If you have questions about the project, email us.