Contributed by Steve Burgoon
ECO Day Success – We had a wonderful turn out for the First Annual ECO Day on June 13. Coordinated by Lake Committee members Rick Steffen and Fran Douros, forty eight (48) TLIA members attended this informative one hour presentation by Beth Adler from the Barrington Area Conservation Trust (BACT). According to Beth, “95% of all the land in Illinois is privately held. If we want to make significant impact to protect our water resources we need to do it at home, on our property.” Beth explained that we need more native plants in our yards that can attract birds, butterflies and other insects that are helpful for our ecosystem. Plants in rain gardens can filter stormwater runoff cleaning the water of pollutants before the water re-enters the ground water or our lakes. These plants are also attractive landscaping areas. Beth also showed people how to access the C@H(Conservation at Home) website to learn more about the program. Here folks can request a home visit and evaluation to add to the current 11 TLIA members who are C@H certified stewards of our environment.
Beth showed the audience three recent projects in the area that will help trap and filter stormwater runoff before it gets to our lakes. Mary Kate Solymossy, a Tower Lakes resident and recent University of Missouri graduate, installed a rain garden immediately adjacent to a stormwater drain on their property on East Lakeshore Drive. Mary dug out the turf grass, covered it with cardboard and soil and let the soil dampen the cardboard. After one week Mary planted native plants through the cardboard. These plants will grow thick, deep roots that will act like a sponge and filter water that enters this area which is in the path of water flow to the stormwater culvert.
Fran and Rick installed a professionally designed rain garden system of native plants between the end of their driveway and the lake. This rain garden replaces the day lilies (non-native and shallow roots) previously in that location. The system has three tiers that can trap most of the water from rain events. The “top” of the system accepts water from the driveway runoff as well as water from the downspouts from the house. Any excess water in that area can overflow to the middle basin, then finally the “bottom” basin. At the lake the system is surrounded by stone to prevent silt from entering the lake or eroding the shoreline. A representative from Ringer’s Landscaping was available during the presentation and at the property walk to answer questions about the project.
Steve Burgoon used a similar process as Mary to develop a shoreline buffer on his property on Circle Drive (North Lake). To avoid using herbicide to kill the grass at the shoreline Steve followed the process suggested by Beth Adler. Two weeks prior to planting he cut the grass in his planting area — a three foot wide by 24 foot long section – down as low as he could. He then covered the grass with cardboard and mulch and then wet the area. The cardboard will eliminate sunlight to the grass which will prevent it from growing. Steve attended the ECO Day presentation and picked up two “Shoreline Stabilization Kits” then planted them through the cardboard. The 72 plants in that area will stabilize the shoreline, filter any storm water runoff, and attract birds, butterflies and insects.
The TLIA Lake Committee thanks BACT and Beth Adler for a wonderful presentation AND their generous work to plan and develop the rain garden and shoreline kits at a discount to the membership. They spent a lot of time and effort to bring many of the kits to the presentation. We also thank Rick and Fran for the leadership and use of their home to view the project. And Mary Kate, thank you for joining the Committee… now you are our resident expert!!
To see the PowerPoint presentation, click here.
To get C@H certified contact Beth Adler at the Barrington Area Conservation Trust at [email protected] or 847-387-3149.
CARP REMOVAL – One of the tools in the kit for managing our fish population is removal of common carp. This fish has been known to dominate Tower Lakes. Back in the mid 1960s the residents had to conduct a complete fish kill to eradicate the fish population that had been inundated with pretty much only carp and not a healthy balance. To prevent such a condition we are deploying a method to electroshock the large carp and remove them from the lake. In early June we removed over 500 pounds of common carp. This process will be replicated in late June and help to provide a better balance of fish species in the lakes.
SILT REMOVAL – Phase II pumping (just south of Roberts Road in the Main Lake) ended on May 30. The USAV equipment rolled out of Tower Lakes on June 1 after filling the last of two silt bags at the North Lake entrance. The process ended using two divers that maneuvered hoses to clear silt and material in the north end of the channel between Toy Island and the parking lot. Next up is to complete the re-landscaping at the east end of Davlin’s Pond. We are planning to complete that this fall if Mother Nature cooperates and lets the silt dry out to get grading equipment on the silt. Nick Adams is leading the charge to complete the restoration of Lathan’s Landing to include moving the silt at the North Lake entrance. This phase should include re-landscaping and possible re-planting this fall.