Download Urban Ecological Restoration: Enhancing the Chicago River and

Urban Ecological Restoration: Enhancing the Chicago River and Riparian Zone – Eugene Field
Park in Chicago, IL
The Eugene Field Park, located in Chicago, IL, is an 8-acre parcel along the Chicago River North
Branch that currently serves as a city park. The site suffers from impairments typically associated
with a heavily urbanized watershed - complete obliteration of natural fluvialgeomorphic and
hydrologic processes. Ensuing problems include loss of channel morphology and instream
complexity, loss of riparian corridor and habitat fragmentation, loss of native species diversity,
and extremely degraded water quality. The Corps has completed a feasibility study and detailed
design of a restoration plan under the Section 206 Authority (Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration).
The recommended plan would begin by removing structures and facilities such as fencing, light
poles, asphalt pathways, etc. from the project footprint. The site would then be cleared of nonnative brush and trees, but certain native tree species would be salvaged such as oak (Quercus
macrocarpa) and willow (Salix nigra). Next, 20,000 cubic yards of fill material would be
removed to expose the natural soils beneath, and to provide the proper hydrology for wetland
reestablishment. Final grading of the site would establish naturally sloping contours along the
river banks and wetland depression. Three riffles will be placed in the Chicago River to increase
instream complexity, flow velocity diversity, sediment transport and to reduce bank erosion.
Seeding of wetland, mesic prairie and oak savanna plant communities would commence after the
earthwork is complete. The next two or three years after construction would involve
supplementing the site with native plugs to further increase plant species richness and ecological
surveys to monitor success.