Share your take on Fox River-Jelkes Creek Watershed
Submitted by Kane-DuPage Soil and Water Conservation District
Anyone interested in sharing information and ideas to address the quality of the Fox River and local streams is invited to attend the Action Group for the Fox River-Jelkes Creek Watershed.
Water quality concerns could include streambank erosion, development concerns, wetland protection, fish and wildlife habitat, groundwater, soil erosion or any other issues regarding our natural resources. The Kane-DuPage Soil and Water Conservation District will host the monthly meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, April 2, at Otto Engineering, third floor, 11 W. Main St., Carpentersville. The next meetings will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. May 30, June 27, and July 25 at the West Dundee Fire Station training room, 100 Carrington Drive.
A watershed is the land area that drains to a single body of water. Within a watershed, water runs to the lowest point such as a stream, river or lake. The Fox River-Jelkes Creek Watershed is located mainly in northern Kane County including the communities of Elgin, Carpentersville, East Dundee, West Dundee, Dundee Township, Sleepy Hollow, Algonquin, and unincorporated Kane County. The watershed is named after Jelkes Creek because it is the largest tributary to the Fox River. However, the catchment area does include Macintosh Creek, Four Winds Way, Carpenter Creek, Lawndale Creek, and many other tributaries, drainage ways, and detention areas within residential subdivisions.
Community members will be provided the opportunity to share their knowledge and concerns about the land they own and the land around them. Once completed, the watershed plan will identify priority projects to improve water quality and form an outreach campaign within the communities. Funding for this project was provided in part through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act distributed through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
Participation from citizens, agencies, organizations, businesses, resource professionals and elected officials is needed to create a comprehensive watershed plan for the area. Additional meetings will be held. Those who would like to attend should contact Candice Jacobs at (630) 584-7961, ext. 3.