Corps of Engineers completes Fort Sheridan restoration project

Posted October 11, 2020 11:00 pm

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers submission

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, recently completed the Fort Sheridan Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration project at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve. Courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, has completed construction for the final phase of the Fort Sheridan Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration project at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve in unincorporated Lake County.

The goal for the Fort Sheridan Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration project is to bring resilience and connectivity to coastal natural habitats and restore native plant communities along 1.5 miles of Lake Michigan. Courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District

Phase 2 included the placement of underwater living reef structures near shore along the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve land, north and south of Cliff Road. Construction was initiated July 30 and completed Sept. 3. The Phase 1 portion included restoring 75 acres within four main ravines (McCormick, Hutchinson, Schenk and Scott), 40 acres of bluff and 12 acres of dune along the coastline, and about 60 acres of riparian woodland.

In September 2019, Phase 2 was initiated via a separate contract to the Architectural Consulting Group of Chicago for the installation of living underwater reefs in Lake Michigan.

These native stone and large woody debris reefs were placed near shore along the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve land, north and south of Cliff Road.

Phase 2 of the Fort Sheridan Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration project included the installation of living underwater reefs in Lake Michigan. Courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District

The intent of the reefs is to provide structural and hydrodynamic habitat for fishes, mudpuppy salamanders, and migratory water birds by mimicking the natural reefs found on Chicago's coastline.

The goal for the Fort Sheridan Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration project is to bring resilience and connectivity to coastal natural habitats and to restore historical native plant communities along 1.5 miles of Lake Michigan.

"Specific species of native fish anticipated to utilize the reefs include, but are not limited to, sport fishes such as smallmouth bass, rock bass and yellow perch, along with nongame fishes such as lake chub, silver redhorse and sculpins," Chicago District fisheries biologist Frank Veraldi said.

The underwater reefs are expected to become home to native fish, including smallmouth bass, rock bass, yellow perch, lake chub, silver redhorse and sculpins, along with other wildlife, like the mudpuppy salamander. Courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District

"The mudpuppy salamander, which is threatened in Illinois, is also anticipated to utilize the rock and wood habitats during the late fall and winter months."

The nonfederal sponsor for Phase 2 was the Lake County Forest Preserve District. GLFER projects are cost shared, 65 percent federal and 35 percent nonfederal. The total project cost (Phases 1 and 2) is estimated to be $14 million, with a federal share of $9.1 million and nonfederal share of $4.9 million.

The majority of the federal share was funded with Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funds received from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

For more information, visit www.lrc.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works-Projects/Fort-Sheridan-IL.

Article Comments

Article Categories
Communities Counties Lake County Lake Forest Submitted Content

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.