What's the problem?

In a report titled Peoria Lake Sediment Investigation, Misganaw Demissie and Nani Bhowmik (1986) state the following:

“Peoria Lake is one of the most important water resources in central Illinois. It provides many benefits to the citizens of Illinois such as opportunities for recreation, fishing, and boating, and a channel for navigation. Most of the benefits were taken for granted for many years. However, continuous sedimentation over the years is threatening the existence of the lake. . . Peoria Lake has lost 77 percent of its original volume. The average depth of. . . Upper Peoria Lake is only about two feet.”

“Excessive sedimentation not only reduces the lake volume and depth but also impacts water quality, aquatic habitat, navigation, recreation, real estate values, and tourism. Thus it can be said that sedimentation poses a very serious problem to Peoria Lake since it negatively impacts all of the beneficial uses of the lake.” The authors cite the following sources of erosion contributing to sedimentation of Upper Peoria Lake:

“The other major sources of sediment to Peoria Lake are the small tributary streams which drain directly into the lake . . . Because of their steep slopes and close proximity to the lake, the tributary streams which drain directly into the lake contribute a significant amount of sediment to the lake. Factors which contribute to the sediment loads of these streams include watershed erosion, stream bank erosion, and gully erosion. Stream bank and gully erosion are significant along the bluffs which surround the lake.” To investigate possible solutions to these problems, The City of Peoria, Peoria County, and the Tri-County Planning Commission, hired Conservation Design Forum, Inc. and Clark Engineers, Inc. to develop a watershed master plan to propose ways to restore a six square mile watershed just north of Peoria, at Mossville, Illinois. This study area is called the Mossville Bluffs Watershed.

What are the problems around Mossville Bluffs Watershed?

The Peoria Lakes Watersheds face many challenges. Thankfully, there are opportunities for residents, governments, and landowners to use many basic and innovative solutions.

What can I do?

Stormwater runoff and stream bank erosion can be controlled in many ways by many groups of people. It will take a great deal of community commitment to truly reverse the declining trend of local water quality.

...as an elected official or government staff?

...as a farmer?

...as a landowner in the bluffs?

...as an urban or rural landowner?

...as a concerned citizen?

Help Educate Our Youth
Educational Materials
Redirect downspouts onto the grass and off the pavement.
Use fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides as recommended by the manufacturer. Overuse will damage vegetation and increase stormwater pollutants.
Keep lawn chemicals off hard surfaces (driveways, sidewalks) and store indoors (preferably in the garage) when possible.
Pick up pet waste.
Mulch yard clippings and bag leaves.
Clean up litter in your neighborhood.
Keep hard surfaces clear of dirt and debris.
Prevent motor oil and gas from spilling. One quart of oil can pollute 250,000 gallons of water.

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