It was said before that the dewatering gates were not enough, that 60 feet of the
dam would have to be removed and that the dewatering gates are only 25-30 feet.
We don’t need an all or nothing approach. We should strategically place a bunch of
rocks upstream ad open the gates from Monday through Thursday. Close the gates
for the weekend.
This maybe done as a demonstration and to gather further data. In the long
term, it is not feasible because the capacity is not there and the Forest
Preserve District does not want to clean the dewatering gates frequently.
The Forest Preserve District works for the taxpayers.
What about the ducks, geese and the one heron?
The habitat will bring more birds. We currently have puddle ducks. There will
be more herons because they are fishermen.
If the stream is effluent dominated, what are our native fish species?
16th and Spring Road is the location of the first native flow. Upstream of that
it was stormwater. The Des Plaines has always had a constant flow. The
fish migrated upstream.
Did you do BOD measurements with normal flow.
No.
26 villages are contributing (to the Workgroup), what is the total amount of the bill
(for the Salt Creek DO study)?
$300,000 for all the studies on Salt Creek. .
Proposal to dredge and let the creek go down, open the flood gates and when the
sludge dries out use front loaders to put it on Forest Preserve District land. Dredge
down to clay. It will be cheaper. A million dollars will be used, there are lots of
millionaires in this room, about half. We’re not talking about that much money.
My understanding is that the mill would be shut down part of the time, and the wheel
would only turn part of the time. When I come under the bridge in my costume it’s
like Brigadoon. Kids do change in their heads. It’s a wonderful place for schools;
they come to Robert Crowne and Graue Mill. Those who work there love it.
The wheel will turn under all scenarios.
Comment Box:
This is a public issue. Water quality affects everyone. Oak Brook residents’ views of
the creek as it is now are not a concern. It’s not just fish – it’s also habitat. All over
the U.S. dam removal is occurring – in every case all aspects of the water are
improving. Oak Brook Village has no legal authority over the removal or change in
the dam.
I have been a life-long fisherman, and an avid Salt Creek fisherman for the past half-decade
and what bothers me is how many local residents claim this dam removal issue
is about "Heritage vs. Fish". I wholeheartedly disagree. I take pride in being able to catch
big Pike and Walleyes from my own backyard rather than travel to some foreign or out of
