Strong partnership saves Kickapoo Creek

May 31, 2012

By Cathy Kropp (USAEC)

  • The project incorporates multiple partners and exemplar cost-leveraging strategies. In scope, it will correct extreme downcutting through construction of 15 pool and riffle structures to bring the stream back into equilibrium and as well as repair eroding streambanks. Thirteen of the fifteen structures were completed by the end of September, 2011, with the final two completed in October.

    Kickapoo Creek Restoration

    The project incorporates multiple partners and exemplar cost-leveraging strategies. In scope, it will correct extreme downcutting through construction of 15 pool and riffle structures to bring the stream back into equilibrium and as well as repair...

  • Once the stream has been stabilized, the riparian habitat will be able to recover with little interference. Where earth is bare in eroded or constructed areas, the NRC staff has put down native seed to re-vegetate the area. The weir structures are themselves providing needed habitat for various aquatic insects, birds, and fish. The pools reconstruct the natural stream system that was lost.

    Stabilizing the stream

    Once the stream has been stabilized, the riparian habitat will be able to recover with little interference. Where earth is bare in eroded or constructed areas, the NRC staff has put down native seed to re-vegetate the area. The weir structures are...

  • The ILARNG took the opportunity to incorporate the creek project into soldiers' training. On-post engineers were able to practice with heavy equipment in the field, and units were able to take part in heavy equipment use during their annual training. This summer, a unit constructed a vehicle turnaround at the South Kickapoo range site; this was one of 10 annual training projects that corrected, repaired, or minimized erosion, or ensured proper drainage to prevent erosion across the installation.

    Soldiers annual training events included Kickapoo Creek projects

    The ILARNG took the opportunity to incorporate the creek project into soldiers' training. On-post engineers were able to practice with heavy equipment in the field, and units were able to take part in heavy equipment use during their annual training...

  • One of MTA's contributions has been the use of heavy equipment and equipment crews for excavating, hauling material, and grading along the creek bed. This element not only saved money, but also provided training opportunities for troops. The ILARNG and DNR estimate that the value of time, labor, and equipment usage they have contributed to the project would cost around $2.3 million to date if outside contractors were utilized.

    Marseilles Training Area provided heavy equipment and crews

    One of MTA's contributions has been the use of heavy equipment and equipment crews for excavating, hauling material, and grading along the creek bed. This element not only saved money, but also provided training opportunities for troops. The ILARNG and...

  • For the last structures to be completed on the creek this fall, the installation used donated bridge beams to create weirs. The ILARNG and MTC coordinated to develop an aviation training exercise in which soldiers uses helicopters to move these concrete beams and place them in the stream. In these ways, MTC is a prime example of the many ways that NRC commitments and military readiness can work in concert.

    Donated bridge beams used to create weirs

    For the last structures to be completed on the creek this fall, the installation used donated bridge beams to create weirs. The ILARNG and MTC coordinated to develop an aviation training exercise in which soldiers uses helicopters to move these...

  • To address the magnitude of the problem at Kickapoo Creek, the solution had to be comprehensive. To that end, the project involves the construction of rock riffles and weirs, like small levees and pools, to slow the water velocity and minimize the sharp slope that has accelerated the creek. An estimated total of 26,000 tons of rock will be used by the time the project is complete"much of which is coming from the ILARNG's recycled concrete stockpile.

    Project involved construction of rock riffles and weirs

    To address the magnitude of the problem at Kickapoo Creek, the solution had to be comprehensive. To that end, the project involves the construction of rock riffles and weirs, like small levees and pools, to slow the water velocity and minimize the...

Rain, flooding and the resulting erosion caused Kickapoo Creek to redirect itself and impact the land and wildlife around it, but partnerships between the Illinois Army National Guard, state departments and EPA got the creek back on track for this spring.

The Marseilles Training Area's engineers provided heavy equipment and crews to excavate, haul material and grade along the creek bed. The EPA and Illinois Department of Military Affairs provided funding, as did ComEd, the local utility company. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources also contributed equipment and crews. The Illinois State Water Survey designed and supervised the installation.

The EPA and Illinois DNR wanted to preserve the watershed and control the erosion that could impact the water quality of the Illinois River and the aquatic habitat. The bank beneath ComEd's electrical tower was in danger of collapse and needed reinforced.

In addition to reclaiming training lands and eliminating safety concerns, the Illinois National Guard looked at this as an opportunity to improve natural resource conservation and provide unique training opportunities for ARNG Soldiers. The project directly addressed two goals in the installation's Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan: soil stabilization and erosion control. An additional benefit was improved community relations.

With this joint-use facility, in which a military and a conservation organization use an agreed-upon section of land, "everybody looked to the other person to pay the bill," said John Casebeer, chief of the Environmental Branch for the Illinois Department of Military Affairs. "We've had some unsuccessful lone initiatives," Casebeer said. "Until we could actually work with the Illinois DNR and bring in the Illinois water survey and the Illinois EPA, that's when everybody started working better together."

The Illinois Army National Guard stockpiled concrete debris from other construction and demolition activities and reused it for this project. A local company that builds bridge beams also donated excess concrete material. Transportation units from the Guard used their assets to transport rock and construction material, completing training requirements while supporting the creek reclamation project.

National Guard units that train at the Marseilles Training Center developed annual training projects and adapted their training to support the creek reclamation project. They constructed vehicle turn-arounds; corrected, repaired and minimized erosion; ensured proper drainage to prevent future erosion; and moved concrete beams with aviation assets.

The creek's natural bank height of eight feet had grown to 30 feet and the width of the creek expanded from 40 feet to 100 feet. The creek's natural high velocity increased soil and sediment washing downstream, clogging outflow culverts and impacting stream quality and the water quality of the Illinois River.

Because of the creek's re-direction, a 50-foot clear water lake in a local quarry was filled in by sediment and was less than 20 feet deep. Though the lake is no longer clear enough to support fish, the hope is that a reduced sediment load will clear up the lake in time.

The agreed-upon solution was to construct a series of grade control structures called weirs that mimic natural riffles and small pools to slow the water and minimize the slope. Additional benefits provided by the structures include increased habitat, increased aquatic food supply that support fish and birds, and water aeration. To construct the structures 17,000 tons of rock were required including material from the ILARNG's recycled concrete stockpile. Embankments were armored and reinforced to save training land from the creek's flow.

The environmental office is fully integrated with the facilities, engineering, range and training staff at the Marseilles Training Area. This ensures natural resource conservations projects are integrated into the broader installation plans and helps ensure needed support is available. The Kickapoo Creek restoration project is a good example of creating win-win opportunities while balancing training and environmental requirements.

All their successes combined to help the installation win the Secretary of the Army's
FY 2011 award for natural resources conservation in the small installation category. The Illinois Army National Guard's Marseilles Training Area will go on to compete in the Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards Program. Winners of that competition receive their awards in a pentagon ceremony in June.

Page last updated Thu May 31st, 2012 at 00:00