Lower Des Plaines Watershed

Our mission is to bring together a diverse coalition of stakeholders to work together to preserve and enhance water quality and stream resource quality in the Lower Des Plaines River and its tributaries.

The Lower Des Plaines Watershed Group

Stakeholders quickly determined that a comprehensive monitoring program throughout the Lower Des Plaines Watershed would not only establish baseline conditions, but also, with regression analysis, identify the biggest stressors to aquatic communities.

The Lower Des Plaines Watershed Group

Our approach to improve local rivers and streams begins with identifying the biggest stressors to aquatic life.

The Lower Des Plaines Watershed Group

Using the same state approved data collection and analyses as other major watershed groups in the region, we will incorporate our data into a tool that will identify and rank restorability projects at the stream reach level.

The Lower Des Plaines Watershed Group

Improving Surface Waters in Illinois



Advocacy

We collectively represent members interests in discussions with the regulatory community and environmental groups.

Learn More



Goals

We provide local coordination to develop and implement a long-term, comprehensive monitoring program to assess current stream conditions in the watershed and identify the biggest stressors to aquatic life.

Learn More



ROI

Our data-driven approach will enable us to make informed management decisions and identify the most cost-effective ways to improve local waterways and meet permit requirements.

Learn More

Lower Des Plaines Watershed Group



Become a Member

LDWG accepts membership applications made by permitted wastewater agencies, municipal stormwater dischargers, industrial dischargers and other local units of government situated within the watershed boundary.



Our Watershed

At the request of Illinois EPA, the watershed boundary was expanded to include MWRD-GC’s Kirie Plant, and is unlike traditional boundaries. Active subwatershed groups within the watershed boundary include Hickory Creek Watershed Planning Group and the Silver Creek Watershed Committee.



Events Calendar

Stakeholders in the Lower Des Plaines Watershed need to be aware of issues currently being addressed. Join us at any of our scheduled membership meetings to learn more about them, and watershed improvements.