Illinois Project to restore 421 acres, cut flood risk along Des Plaines river
A major restoration project in Antioch, Illinois, aims to convert former farmland into 421 acres of wetlands and prairies to mitigate flood risks along the Des Plaines River. The initiative involves disabling old drainage tiles and reconnecting the landscape to its natural floodplain.
Why it matters
Restoring natural floodplains is a critical strategy for climate adaptation and managing stormwater in developed watersheds.
What if a landscape could act like a giant sponge, soaking up stormwater, filtering pollution and creating space for wildlife all at once? Sounds impossible? Well, that is the goal behind a major five-year restoration project planned at Raven Glen Forest Preserve in Antioch, Illinois. According to a report by Lake County Forest Preserve, the project will restore 421 acres of wetlands, prairies and woodlands, while reshaping the landscape to better manage stormwater and improve the health of the surrounding watershed. It has been reported tat the work is expected to begin this fall or winter and will focus on land east of Savage Road and west of Route 45. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Chicago District is leading the project in partnership with the Lake County Forest Preserves.
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