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Introduction <br /> This comprehensive natural resource plan documents resource concerns and provides recommendations <br /> for addressing the watershed-wide issues. It is the second sub-watershed plan of L,ake Decatur to be <br /> completed. Sand Creek was the first plan to be finished in May 2000. The Upper Sangamon River <br /> Planning Committee decided that resource concerns could be addressed more effectively if the Lake <br /> Decatur watershed was broken up into two phases consisting of multiple sub-watersheds. Lake Decatur in <br /> its entirety has a drainage area of 925 squa.re miles. Finley Creek, a tributary to the La.ke, drains <br /> approximately 18,865 acres or about 29.5 square miles and is located in Phase I of watersheds being <br /> addressed(see map on page 16). This Plan focuses on Finley Creek, however Lake Decatur will benefit <br /> from activities in the watershed. Implementation of this plan will achieve the goals to increase awareness, <br /> educaxe watershed residents, and improve resource conditions in Finley Creek watershed and Lake <br /> Decatur. <br /> Background <br /> Lake Decatur is a public water supply for the City of Decatur and the Village of Mt. Zion. The Lake has <br /> had high concentrations of nitrates and suspended solids. The State of Illinois has a drinking water <br /> standard that IEPA regulates. Lake Decatur had exceeded this standard of 10 milligrams per liter of <br /> nitrates. The City of Decatur has been required to take action and reduce the amount of nitrates in the <br /> water supply. Illinois State Water Survey was contracterl to study the Lake Decatur watershed to better <br /> understand the nitrate situation with hydrologic and water quality data collected from 1993 to 2002. This <br /> da.ta can then be used to develop a management strategy. The City of Decatur has developed a dredging <br /> plan in several basins in order to restore the La.ke's Capacity. For these reasons, soil erosion and water <br /> quality issues are of high concern in this plan and where identified by the Planning Committee. The City <br /> of Deca.tur itself does not individually sit on the planning committee. They wanted the stakeholders <br /> within Finely Creek Watershed to take complete ownership of the plan. However,the City fizll}�supports <br /> a11 the efforts of the Planning Committee. <br /> Committee Members <br /> This watershed planning effort would not have occuned without the participation of the planning <br /> committee members listed below. Their dedication to addressing the resource concerns of the Finle�� <br /> Creek Watershed has resulted in this planning document. <br /> Fazmer Richard Steele <br /> Fanner John Carr <br /> Fazmer David Carr <br /> Farmer Roger White <br /> Village of Mt.Zion Jerry Potts <br /> Village of Mt. Zion Paul Ruff <br /> PPG Industries Kathryn Oman <br /> What is a Watershed? 'I <br /> A watershed is an area of land that drains into a stream or lake. It is defined by the landscape and the <br /> topography of the land. <br /> Watershed Details ' � `� ��`��,�� �, '��t� s ,�`*' ° �I <br /> • Finley Creeks drains 18,865 acres or �, , �'�`��"` � ��'� `� , _� <br /> �., , _ M =:� <br /> about 29.5 square miles to Lake Decatur. ' � s�n: � � °� � � :' <br /> .x <br /> • T'he main channel of Finley Creek is ;`�� `� � � �= , i�����a�d �� �� �'`j <br /> �' �i'� "� ■Grasslend8 WooAlentl <br /> approaimately 15.4 miles long. Other � � '� <br /> i� �, �`�^ Urban or built-up lentl <br /> t <br /> . <br /> �. �. <br /> � <br /> perennial but unnamed channels account � ��;.�, :� <br /> �<< � ,�b, <br /> :�?� <br /> � <br /> :��h <br /> h�� <br /> for 7.5 mile Alt h r '�_ +� <br /> s. oget e the stream � ,� � � � <br /> `� <br /> mileage in the watershed totals about ���,�'���*�� '�"�'� ����� �� `� �� �' <br /> �. +.. .� ;�' <br /> 22.9 miles. <br /> OS/31/02 2 <br />