DNR to Fund Fox River Dam Removal in Geneva, Carpentersville

Press release submitted by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will provide $3.5 million in funding to remove two dam structures from the Fox River, as part of an intergovernmental agreement between the Forest Preserve District of Kane County and IDNR.

In the agreement, ratified by the Forest Preserve Commission on Jan. 13, IDNR agreed to provide $2.4 million to remove the Carpentersville Dam at Fox River Shores Forest Preserve in Carpentersville, and $1.1 million to remove the Causeway at Fabyan Forest Preserve in Geneva.

The funding will cover costs for engineering and removal of the two structures as well as shoreline restoration at the two Fox River sites.

“Ultimately, these two projects will greatly benefit the Fox River. These dams are major barriers for fish and other aquatic animals. By removing these structures, animals could more freely move throughout the river corridor. This would greatly improve water quality and fish habitat,” said Monica Meyers, executive director of the Forest Preserve District.

“The District set the standard many years ago in dam removal when we took out the South Batavia Dam,” added Drew Ullberg, director of natural resources. “Fisheries biologists have demonstrated through their sampling that removing dams is the most positive thing we can do to improve the rivers for fish. Upstream of the Carpentersville Dam are excellent spawning grounds. Holistic restoration is still in process, but even removing the dams one at a time works to restore the structure and function of the entire Fox River corridor,” he said.

The Carpentersville Dam removal will also improve recreational opportunities for the public, in addition to fishing. Currently, those who canoe or kayak the Fox River could put in at Buffalo Park Forest Preserve in Algonquin but then need to portage around the dam just 2.8 miles later in Carpentersville.

Removal of this obstruction would allow canoeing and kayaking from Buffalo Park roughly 9 miles until the next dam location in Elgin.

Meyers said the District has been watching for opportunities to modify the Carpentersville Dam for some time. As far as the Fabyan Causeway removal, she said the agreement comes at a perfect time.

“We’re already working at Fabyan Forest Preserve on an island improvement project right now. The Causeway removal would have been the last part of that project, but we couldn’t move forward until funding was secured,” she said.