The Challenge
Lake Decatur is the primary source of potable and process water for the City of Decatur, Illinois. The lake was constructed in the 1920s and eventually lost 35% of its storage volume to siltation. After the entire reservoir was dredged, Decatur engaged Spheros Environmental legacy to assist in managing the 926 square mile watershed to significantly reduce soil and nutrients from entering the lake, and to obtain project funding.
Our Solution
Primary services include watershed planning, project management, environmental assessment, water quality modeling, and monitoring, and stakeholder engagement:
- Water quality monitoring to establish a baseline and track improvements including coordination with research organizations and state agencies to commission, manage, and analyze numerous stream and lake monitoring sites.
- A full reservoir bathymetry survey and analysis of sediment deposition and transport in select areas.
- Predictive nutrient and sediment load modeling to identify “hot-spots” and prioritize the most cost effective agricultural and urban water quality improvement projects.
- Completed seven Illinois EPA approved subwatershed plans to characterize basins and guide site-specific implementation efforts and secure grant funding.
Prime
Results +What makes this unique
With the assistance of Spheros, the city established the Lake Decatur Watershed Farmland Conservation Program to administer $12+ million in federal and state watershed improvement grants obtained to date with more awards anticipated. Monitoring indicates improvements in water quality and modeling of implemented practices show substantial annual reductions in sediment and nutrients. The success of this project is due to the long-term financial commitment of City of Decatur combined with the exceptional expertise of Spheros Environmental watershed professionals.
Spheros has been an instrumental partner in establishing the City of Decatur’s robust and successful watershed protection program. They got the ball rolling with deep expertise and high energy. The monitoring and modeling program they established lent credibility to the program, which was instrumental for grant seeking and partnerships. We continue the relationship with Spheros and recently renewed their contract for another two years.
Project Experts
