The Village of Algonquin, IL

Overview

Woods Creek is one of six primary watercourses within the Village of Algonquin, along with Dixie Creek, Ratt Creek, Crystal Creek, Souwanas Creek, and the Fox River. These waterways weave through the community before ultimately draining to the Fox River near downtown Algonquin.

Woods Creek begins near Boyer Road and County Line Road and flows approximately six miles to its confluence with Crystal Creek and the Fox River. The creek drains roughly 8.6 square miles across Kane and McHenry counties and plays a critical role in local water quality, habitat, and stormwater management.

Over time, changes in land use, agricultural practices, and urban development have altered how water moves through the watershed. As a result, the Village has undertaken long-term restoration efforts to stabilize the creek, improve water quality, reduce flooding risk, and restore native habitat.

Woods Creek Through Time

Pre-Settlement (Prior to 1840)

Before European settlement, the Woods Creek watershed was dominated by tallgrass prairie. The upper portions of what is now Woods Creek were not a defined stream but consisted of wet prairie depressions that only conveyed water during significant rainfall events.

Agricultural Development (1800s–Early 1900s)

As the region was settled and farmed, prairie lands were tilled and wet areas were artificially drained using open ditches and clay drain tiles. These drainage systems increased runoff and helped form the upper reaches of Woods Creek as a permanent stream. Base flows were largely sustained by agricultural drainage.

Urban Growth (1980s–Present)

Beginning in the 1980s, Algonquin experienced rapid population growth. Development within the Woods Creek watershed increased the amount and speed of stormwater runoff entering the creek. These changes contributed to streambank erosion, habitat loss, and degraded water quality, underscoring the need for comprehensive watershed restoration.

Watershed-Based Restoration Approach

To guide restoration efforts, Woods Creek is divided into smaller segments known as reaches. Reaches are defined sections of a stream based on geography and watershed characteristics. This approach allows the Village to prioritize improvements, phase construction, and clearly communicate where work is occurring.

Since 2005, the Village has completed multiple restoration projects throughout the Woods Creek watershed. Each project builds on previous work to extend green infrastructure, improve ecological function, and conserve high-quality habitat in accordance with the Woods Creek Watershed Plan.

Reaches 6 & 7 Restoration Project

Project Overview

The Woods Creek Reach 6 & 7 Restoration Project focuses on restoring approximately 1,200 linear feet of Woods Creek and a 2,200 linear foot tributary that extends east and connects to the Meijer stormwater detention basin. The project area encompasses roughly 27 acres of stream corridor and floodplain.

Project Goals

• Stabilize eroded streambanks and channel areas
• Improve water quality by reducing sediment, nutrients, and runoff velocity
• Restore floodplain function to reduce upstream and downstream flooding risk
• Enhance aquatic and terrestrial habitats
• Replace invasive vegetation with native plant communities

Key Improvements

• Reshaping and stabilizing eroded creek banks
• Installation of in-stream riffles to improve oxygenation and aquatic habitat
• Armoring select streambank areas subject to high-velocity flows
• Reestablishment of floodplain benches
• Removal of invasive trees and shrubs
• Installation of native trees, vegetation, and pollinator habitat

Benefits

• Water Quality: Reduced erosion and improved filtration of stormwater runoff
• Biodiversity: Increased habitat diversity for plants, insects, fish, and wildlife
• Flood Reduction: Improved floodplain capacity to manage storm flows

Project Schedule

Construction is complete.