The first step in determining the overall health of your lake or pond is testing the water quality. ILM staff have years of experience conducting water quality tests, analyzing data, and determining the major factors influencing the lake or pond. In order to broaden the scope of influences on bodies of water, ILM collects shallow groundwater and soil samples for a more specific look at hydrogeologic parameters. Lakes and ponds accumulate sediment overtime and influences water quality. This sediment can be high in nutrients and help contribute to algae growth as well as aquatic plants. ILM collects sediment samples to determine what contributes to algal growth.
Wetland delineations are required prior to developing a site in order to mark the wetland boundaries. Wetland delineations are performed following current Army Corps and county guidelines. ILM has on staff a Certified Wetland Specialist and a Wetland Professional (IT) with 15 years of experience.
Permits are often required to modify the landscape, whether for wetland impacts, erosion control, dredging, construction sites, etc. ILM has 15 years of experience with developing permits for the Army Corps, IEPA, IDNR, county and village permits.
Each year geese will migrate back to the same place they were born for their nesting site. More and more geese will flock to this area if measures aren’t taken to control their population. Geese can be considered nuisances since their excrement is a source of nutrient loading to nearby bodies of water contributing to algal blooms and they can be aggressive towards people. ILM provides services to reduce the geese populations on your property by goose depredation techniques and applying flight control on lawns, which deters them from the property. ILM has several goose control and nuisance wildlife control specialists licensed through the IDNR. Other animals, such as muskrats, contribute to shoreline erosion, which can result in costly shoreline restoration practices. We provide animal trapping services that solve the problem before restoration costs become too expensive for property owners.
Erosion is the major contributor to decreased water clarity and sedimentation in lakes and ponds. ILM is capable of performing construction site erosion control for NPDES permitting, developing Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) and file for Notice of Intent (NOI) and Notice of Termination (NOT) with the IEPA. ILM has a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) and a Certified Professional in Stormwater Quality (CPSWQ) through the International Erosion Control Association. We also have a Designated Erosion Control Inspector (DECI) on staff. ILM can also design and build for erosion control surrounding lakes, ponds and streams.
ILM works with The Mapping Network to create high quality bathymetric maps using sub-foot accuracy GPS and a sonar depth sounder. Maps can be used to identify good fishing holes are areas of sediment accumulation. Over time, sediment accumulates in lakes and ponds by stormwater runoff or erosion. It is important to monitor sediment thickness ever few years. If the sediment is accumulating quickly, then preventative measures can be taken around the shoreline and in the watershed to stop erosion. Also, if the sediment is building up to where watercraft navigation is hindered or simply the lake or pond’s capacity to hold water is diminishing, ILM can perform dredging feasibility studies and permit applications. Bathymetric mapping can help determine where sediment loading is occurring over time to efficiently locate the problematic area.
Surveys and flow studies - Stream surveys provide baseline or current data that profile the physical character of the stream corridor noting in-stream habitat, as well as stream biology, which is an indicator of water quality. Analysis of stream survey data can be used as a foundation of sensible growth policies designed to prevent degradation of streams. Also, stream flow studies determine short and long term hydrologic characteristics that can influence stream water quality.
Macroinvertebrate studies - Macroinvertebrates (stream insects) are the preferred method for assessing stream habitat since they are much less mobile than fish. Analysis of the field data helps determine the overall health of the stream.
Stormwater detention basins - Stormwater detention basins include ponds, dry vegetative basins, and underground stormwater structures. Inspections of stormwater detention basins determine if they are functioning properly. ILM conducts routine, visual inspections to see if vegetative debris and litter accumulation is reducing the pond’s overall effectiveness for stormwater management. ILM also can monitor stormwater quality. We have on staff a Certified Professional in Stormwater Quality (CPSWQ) through the International Erosion Control Association.
Rain gardens - Rain gardens are becoming more prominent to manage stormwater runoff. The benefits of rain gardens include preventing local neighborhoods from flooding, protect nearby bodies of water from pollutants in stormwater, aesthetics help increase property value, and planting of native plants help provide habitat for beneficial insects and birds.
Water / nutrient budget – Lakes are designed to have a certain amount of inflows and outflows, but this could be altered as development occurs in the watershed. A water budget determines sources and amounts of inflows based on land use and available data. Once a water budget has been created then a nutrient budget can be made to determine nutrient loading to the lake. Since phosphorus is generally the limiting nutrient in lakes and ponds, the amount of phosphorus loading determines how quickly the lake deteriorates in terms of algae blooms and extensive rooted aquatic plants.
Water level monitoring – Lake and pond water levels fluctuate throughout the year depending on precipitation events.It is important to monitor water levels to determine the normal water level and see how the lake/pond reacts to different amounts of precipitation accumulation.With global climate change the Chicago-land area may experience fewer, but more intense precipitation events.It is important to monitor the water level throughout the year to determine if problems are occurring due to fluctuating water levels.
Aquatic plant surveys – Mapping of the dominant plant species helps determine biodiversity, general health of the lake or pond, and changes over time.ILM conducts aquatic plant surveys and informs the client if there are non-native, invasive plant species present and how this problem can be remedied.
Fish surveys and stocking - Lake uses generally include recreational purposes. Boating and fishing are very common and healthy fisheries attract more people to the area. ILM conducts fish surveys and stocks fish to deversify aquatic life and monitor fish populations over time. During the early spring when ice begins to thaw, low oxygen in the water creates a stressful environment for fish, occasionaly resulting in fish kills. ILM will remove and dispose of the fish properly.
