Harold P. Wells Scholarship – 2017 Award Recipients
June 21, 2017
Representing Philanthropy and Community Service
July 1, 2017
The third DeKalb County Watershed Bus Tour took place on Saturday, June 17, 2017. About 25 attendees joined us to learn more about watersheds in DeKalb County. Do you know where the South Branch of the Kishwaukee River begins? Do you know why some fields are untilled, but have crops beginning to grow? Do you know where the highest elevation in DeKalb County is? Do you know how urban stormwater management affects our rivers and watershed? During the tour, answers to these questions and many more were answered.
Funded by the DeKalb County Community Foundation, the watershed tour was made possible through the joining efforts of the DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District, Northern Illinois University Depart of Geography, and the DeKalb County Watershed Steering Committee.
Tour stops included the headwaters of the South Branch of the Kishwaukee River, wetland, prairie, conservation and farmland best management practices, the Kishwaukee River Water Reclamation District wastewater treatment facility in DeKalb, the CHS Elburn plant in Sycamore, and examples of urban stormwater management projects.
Guiding the tour was Mike Konen, NIU Department of Geography and Dean Johnson DeKalb County Watershed Coordinator, and Resource Conservationist with the DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District.
The bus tour introduced participants to the South Branch of the Kishwaukee River. The Community Foundation is working with local partners and Applied Ecological Services to apply for an Illinois EPA grant for the next watershed planning process in the South Branch of the Kishwaukee River Watershed.
Did you know? The idea behind the watershed planning is much bigger than just bus tours and projects. Learn more about the CommunityWorks Land Use initiative and their goal for DeKalb County.
Watershed Bus Tour Photos:
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- 2017 DeKalb County Watershed Bus Tour route – South Branch of the Kishwaukee River watershed
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- Tour guide Dean Johnson, DeKalb County Watershed Coordinator, and Resource Conservationist with the DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District.
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- The South Branch of the Kishwaukee River originates from several farm fields, just north of Shabbona.
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- Local farmer Bill Mulllins shares his experience on field tiles and how they drain farm fields and enhance crop growth.
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- Mike Konen, NIU Department of Geography, shares a map of soil drainage and the soil classes assigned to each area and elevation.
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- Sanderson Farm. High atop a moraine in DeKalb County, the group observes the Sanderson Farm Wetland Project. A great example of farmland that embraces its location and relationship to the watershed.
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- Dave and Dan Sanderson explained the development and continued maintenance of the Sanderson’s Nordic Farms wetland.
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- The Watershed Bus Tour group stands with family from the Nordic Farms.
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- CHS Elburn facility located in Sycamore. David Myers, Agronomy Division Manager, boards the bus to speak about soil science, crop production, and nutrient management.
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- Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District (formerly the DeKalb Sanitary District) located in DeKalb. Mark Eddington, Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District Executive Director, explained what they do at their facility and how they contribute to water quality and watersheds.
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- Biosolids (small jar, red lid) are a usable after-product of raw sewage (small jar, red lid). Sample of treated water from Water District (large glass container) next to untreated wastewater (large glass container).
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- Mark Eddington explains step 1 of the wastewater treatment. Solid, unusable material removed from the water and dropped into a waste container.
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- Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District
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- Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District
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- Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District
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- Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District
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- Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District
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- Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District
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- Mike Holland, Assistant District Manager of the Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District, explains the usage of ultraviolet lighting in the treatment of water.
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- Northern Illinois University Tour bus
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- Lions Park located in DeKalb. Amy Doll, DeKalb Park District Executive Director, and Phil Young, DeKalb Park District Board President, explained the development and reconstruction of Lions Park in DeKalb. A great example of embracing land located in a floodplain of the watershed.
