JJC Lake Rehabilitation & Management Project

• Project Highlights and Benefits

  Highlights

  • 6,300 cubic yards of sediment will be dredged from the lake and distributed on the college's agricultural fields. After dewatering, the nutrient-rich sediment will be spread over the Ag field.
  • Best management practices will be implemented to reduce non-point source pollution and ensure the long-term health of the lake.
  • Separators and Wetland Swale will be installed to filter runoff water from the parking lots.
  • Bioswales and a Bio-Filter Cell will be installed to filter runoff water from agricultural fields, grass fields and residential areas before it enters the lake.
  • Native plants will be planted along the shoreline to prevent soil erosion.
     

  Benefits

  • Unsightly floating debris, odor problems and sediment buildup will be reduced
  • A clean, healthy habitat for fish, wildlife and native plant species will be restored
  • Approximately two feet will be added to the depth of the lake (on average)
  • Education and research opportunities will be increased
  • This campus asset will continue to provide an outdoor laboratory for JJC faculty and students
     

  Funding for this project provided, in part, by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency through Section 319 of the Clean Water Act.

Lake Management Facts

• Benefits of the JJC Lake

  Benefits of the JJC Lake

  • Recreation, open space, and diverse plant and animal habitat
  • Pleasing environment
  • Vibrant fishery and fish habitat
  • Flood control and storm water management

• How is the JJC Lake Harmed?

  The JJC Lake has been exposed to stress due to urbanization and natural factors. If the lake is not properly managed, or if pollutants drain into the lake from the surrounding area, the lake can be harmed.

  How is the JJC Lake Harmed?

  Fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides applied to lawns, agricultural fields, or properties can end up in the lake. These chemicals can be carried during rainstorms in drainage water that will drain into the JJC Lake. These chemicals and nutrients have a big impact on the quality of the lake, which contributes to:

  • Noxious plant growth
  • Fish kills
  • Algae blooms and die-offs
     

  Lake Depth Shrinking: Organic sediment deposits have reduced the original lake water volume by 20%. Soil eroded during rainstorms also finds its way into the lake. As a result of these factors, the lake depth is shrinking. It has been reduced by one to two feet.

How to Help

If you own property within the lake watershed, you can help preserve the lake. 

• Become Aware

  What You Do on Your Property Can Affect Water Quality

  The JJC Lake is a living body of water containing many organisms. When these organisms are in balance, the water quality is good, the lake is clean and attractive, and fish and wildlife habitat are abundant.

  Sometimes, the JJC Lake is out of balance. This results in excessive algae growth, causing:

  • Unsightly floating debris
  • Odor problems
  • Sediment buildup
     

  Lake algae growth can be impacted by watershed land management activities.

  A Typical Algae Growth Cycle

  • Rain water that runs off from upstream property ends up in the lake.
  • Substances placed on lawns, driveways, roads and farm fields can be washed by rainwater into the lake.
  • This nutrient-laden water provides fuel for algae growth.
  • Excess algae growth can rob the water of oxygen causing algae die-off.
  • Dead algae is unsightly, produces odor and settles to the lake bottom.
  • Dead algae reduces water depth.
  • Sediment buildup reduces lake water volume.
  • Sediment decomposes and further reduces oxygen and releases more nutrients to the water.

  
  Important to Note

  • Rain water leaving your property ends up in the lake.
  • Excess fertilizer, pesticides and herbicides applied to lawns finds its way to the lake and degrades water quality.
  • Eroded soil and organic sediment in the lake bottom have reduced the lake volume by 20% in 30 years.
  • Lake depths are one to two feet less than historic levels.
  • Animal waste, sediment, de-icing salts, pesticides, herbicides, oil and grease from impervious or agricultural lands find their way into the lake.
  • Fish can die due to oxygen shortages caused by water quality problems.

• Protect and Restore the JJC Lake

  How to Help Protect and Restore the JJC Lake

  • Do not apply fertilizer within 20 feet of the lake shoreline or grassed rainwater swales.
  • Use fertilizer with no phosphorous content if possible (10-0-10 nit-phospot ratio), or lowest phosphorous level available. Use a maximum application rate of one pound nitrogen per 1,000 ft2. Limit applications to a maximum of four times each season. Do not apply fertilizer before or after heavy rainfall. Lightly soak fertilizer with each application. Use granular instead of liquid fertilizers.
  • Do not mow shoreline areas.
  • Keep dead leaves and animal waste out of drainage swales and the lake.
  • Report soil erosion to JJC.
  • Minimize agricultural pesticide and herbicide applications.
  • Keep your driveways and sidewalks free of oil, grease and other suburban pollutants. Maintain your vehicles so they don’t leak fluids.
  • Become familiarized with your watershed. The committee has a detailed report on file for your review.
  • Minimize use of deicing chemicals.
     

  These steps will help improve future lake water quality. JJC is doing its part by investigating methods to mitigate problems caused in the past.