IEPA Training Completed: Big Lake Testing Begins
Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program Coordinator Greg Ratliff trained WMTLA
Board member Chris Strong as samples were gathered from lake Wee-Ma-Tuk
on June 1.
The water will be tested for clarity at the sites below twice each month from April
to October.
Results of this testing, as well as that of other Illinois lakes, may be viewed at
http://dataservices.epa.illinois.gov/waBowSurfaceWater. Click on Search at the
top of the page, and choose Wee-Ma-Tuk Lake from the drop-down.
A video of the training and testing processes is in production, and will be
posted soon.
Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program Coordinator Greg Ratliff trained WMTLA
Board member Chris Strong as samples were gathered from lake Wee-Ma-Tuk
on June 1.
The water will be tested for clarity at the sites below twice each month from April
to October.
Results of this testing, as well as that of other Illinois lakes, may be viewed at
http://dataservices.epa.illinois.gov/waBowSurfaceWater. Click on Search at the
top of the page, and choose Wee-Ma-Tuk Lake from the drop-down.
A video of the training and testing processes is in production, and will be
posted soon.
Water Quality Information
| Lake Wee-Ma-Tuk Water Quality: Moving Forward |
Illinois Volunteer Lake Monitoring
Program :
http://www.epa.state.il.us/water/conserv
ation/vlmp/index.html
Program :
http://www.epa.state.il.us/water/conserv
ation/vlmp/index.html
Click picture to view Shae's
presentation. You can download
PowerPoint Viewer (free) HERE.
presentation. You can download
PowerPoint Viewer (free) HERE.
Useful Links:
Environmental Consulting:
Shae Birkey – AECOM Environment
(217) 369-0314
slbirk@gmail.com
Native Plant Nursery and Contractors:
Pizzo and Associates
www.pizzo.info
(815) 495-2300
Shae Birkey – AECOM Environment
(217) 369-0314
slbirk@gmail.com
Native Plant Nursery and Contractors:
Pizzo and Associates
www.pizzo.info
(815) 495-2300
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
IEPA Testing
Through an arrangement with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Chris Strong will begin testing Lake Wee-Ma-Tuk for
clarity beginng June 1. An email from Greg Ratliff, Volunteer Lake Monotoring Coordinator, appears below.
The contact was arranged by Shae Birkey, author of the presentation above.
We are seeking volunteers to test the rest of the lakes. Contact chris@weematuk.net or Greg at Greg.Ratliff@Illinois.gov
Through an arrangement with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Chris Strong will begin testing Lake Wee-Ma-Tuk for
clarity beginng June 1. An email from Greg Ratliff, Volunteer Lake Monotoring Coordinator, appears below.
The contact was arranged by Shae Birkey, author of the presentation above.
We are seeking volunteers to test the rest of the lakes. Contact chris@weematuk.net or Greg at Greg.Ratliff@Illinois.gov
Hey Chris,
The Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program consists of three
step-up tiers. Tier I consists of taking water clarity readings
using a Seechi Disk at three site locations on your lake and
noting a few field observations. Tier II would include water
quality sampling at Site 1, and Tier III would include Tier II
sampling at all three sites, as well as chlorophyll sampling
and Dissolved Oxygen/Temperature profiling using a meter
and probe.
New volunteers are introduced through Tier I the first year.
We provide the Secchi Disk assembly and paperwork. You
provide the boat, anchor, personal floatation device, and
time. If consistent work is provided in Tier I, the volunteer
qualifies for the next Tier for the following sampling season.
The sampling season runs from May through October, twice
a month. You pick the days to sample at your convenience.
I would need to train you on your lake to get you started. The
only date left in May for training is the 23rd, next Monday.
Otherwise we would need to look at June. I am available on
the 1st, 2nd or 3rd of June.
Thanks,
Gregory P. Ratliff
Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program Coordinator
Lakes Unit, Bureau of Water
217-782-3362
217-785-1225 FAX
The Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program consists of three
step-up tiers. Tier I consists of taking water clarity readings
using a Seechi Disk at three site locations on your lake and
noting a few field observations. Tier II would include water
quality sampling at Site 1, and Tier III would include Tier II
sampling at all three sites, as well as chlorophyll sampling
and Dissolved Oxygen/Temperature profiling using a meter
and probe.
New volunteers are introduced through Tier I the first year.
We provide the Secchi Disk assembly and paperwork. You
provide the boat, anchor, personal floatation device, and
time. If consistent work is provided in Tier I, the volunteer
qualifies for the next Tier for the following sampling season.
The sampling season runs from May through October, twice
a month. You pick the days to sample at your convenience.
I would need to train you on your lake to get you started. The
only date left in May for training is the 23rd, next Monday.
Otherwise we would need to look at June. I am available on
the 1st, 2nd or 3rd of June.
Thanks,
Gregory P. Ratliff
Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program Coordinator
Lakes Unit, Bureau of Water
217-782-3362
217-785-1225 FAX
From Shae Birkey: Here is my opinion on
planting riprap:
I wouldn’t do it unless you could pack more than a foot of clay on top of
the rock and compact it. Follow that up with 6” of top soil and you’re
ready to go.
Otherwise, if you can see soil between the existing rocks, you could
seed directly into the soil and see what comes up. We’ve done this
before with marginal success.
Otherwise, use plant plugs along the shoreline (these are pre-grown,
young plants available at any local native plant nursery).
Remember--NATIVES ONLY FOR ALL PLANTINGS ON AND AROUND THE
LAKE--if in question, ask me (email is always best).
Ideal planting windows are after the first frost of each year and before
June 1. Avoid planting during the driest, hottest part of the year
(summer), unless you can water daily! Plantings can also occur in late
fall (after the first frost), but I discourage this unless erosion control
matting is used to prevent soil washout into the lake.
Grand Prairie Friends Annual Plant Sale
This plant sale is held in or near the Lincoln Square Mall each spring on
the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend. Though there has not yet been
an announcement for 2011, the sale is in the works. This sale includes
prairie species propigated by Grand Prairie Friends and woodland
species grown by John Marlin and his family. Contact Jamie Ellis
(jamese@inhs.uiuc.edu), president of Grand Prairie Friends, for more
information.
Possibility Place Nursery
www.possibilityplace.com
7548 W. Monee-Manhattan Road, Monee, IL 60449
708/534-3988
Has a wide selection of native trees and shrubs as well as few
herbaceous species in larger containers sizes.
Bluestem Prairie Nursery -- Ken Shall
13197 E. 13th Rd., Hillsboro, IL 62049
217/532-6344
bluestemnursery@yahoo.com
Plants native to midwestern prairies and savannas (open, upland, oak-
hickory woods). Seeds sold by packet and custom mixes from Nov.
through Feb. Plants sold bare root in March/April. Free catalog.
Earthskin Nursery
www.earthskinnursery.com
9331 NCR 3800E, Mason City, IL 62664
217/482-3524
lrnelms@springnet1.com
Specializes in central Illinois ecotype seed of common prairie forbs and
grasses. In business since 1996 and gained an excellent reputation for
seed quality. Seed only.
Prairie Patch
Jim Maddox
10932 Park Rd., Niantic, IL 62551
217/668-2409
Simply Native Nursery
www.simplynativenursery.com
681 St. Hwy 135
Alexis, IL 61412
Tel: (309) 371-9598
Fax: (309) 586-4078
E-mail: contact@simplynativenursery.com
Specializes in Western IL/Eastern IA ecotypes of forbs and grasses for
prairie, woodland ephemerals, wetland and Rain Gardens
Lee's Gardens
25986 Sauder Road
Tremont, Ilinois 61568
Tel: (309) 925-5262
Fax: (309) 925-5010
E-mail: jiboshi@aol.com
Web: www.LeesGardens.com
Specialize in woodland and prairie plants, as well as other perennials
Lafayette Home Nursery
1 Nursery Lane
Lafayette, Illinois 61449
Tel: (309) 995-3311
Fax: (309) 995-390
Mason State Nursery IL Dept. of Natural Resources, Forest Resources
17855 N. Country Road, 2400 E.
ILLINOIS NATIVE PLANT NURSERIESTopeka, Illinois 61567
Tel: (309) 535-2195
Fax: (309) 535-3286
E-mail: dhorvath@dnrmail.state.il.us
Illinois Forest Products
8699 Arenzville Road
Beardstown, Illinois 62618
Tel: (217) 323-4540, 800/304-TREE
Fax: (217) 323-9468
E-mail: ifp@casscomm.com
Web: www.illinoisforestproducts.com
H. E. Nursery
1200 Old Rt. 66
North Litchfield, Illinois 61056
Tel: (217) 324-6191
Fax: (217) 324-5756
Sun and shade plants of central Illinois. Prairie, savanna, wood-land,
wetland species. Specialize in vegetative selections: variations on color
and growth forms
planting riprap:
I wouldn’t do it unless you could pack more than a foot of clay on top of
the rock and compact it. Follow that up with 6” of top soil and you’re
ready to go.
Otherwise, if you can see soil between the existing rocks, you could
seed directly into the soil and see what comes up. We’ve done this
before with marginal success.
Otherwise, use plant plugs along the shoreline (these are pre-grown,
young plants available at any local native plant nursery).
Remember--NATIVES ONLY FOR ALL PLANTINGS ON AND AROUND THE
LAKE--if in question, ask me (email is always best).
Ideal planting windows are after the first frost of each year and before
June 1. Avoid planting during the driest, hottest part of the year
(summer), unless you can water daily! Plantings can also occur in late
fall (after the first frost), but I discourage this unless erosion control
matting is used to prevent soil washout into the lake.
Grand Prairie Friends Annual Plant Sale
This plant sale is held in or near the Lincoln Square Mall each spring on
the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend. Though there has not yet been
an announcement for 2011, the sale is in the works. This sale includes
prairie species propigated by Grand Prairie Friends and woodland
species grown by John Marlin and his family. Contact Jamie Ellis
(jamese@inhs.uiuc.edu), president of Grand Prairie Friends, for more
information.
Possibility Place Nursery
www.possibilityplace.com
7548 W. Monee-Manhattan Road, Monee, IL 60449
708/534-3988
Has a wide selection of native trees and shrubs as well as few
herbaceous species in larger containers sizes.
Bluestem Prairie Nursery -- Ken Shall
13197 E. 13th Rd., Hillsboro, IL 62049
217/532-6344
bluestemnursery@yahoo.com
Plants native to midwestern prairies and savannas (open, upland, oak-
hickory woods). Seeds sold by packet and custom mixes from Nov.
through Feb. Plants sold bare root in March/April. Free catalog.
Earthskin Nursery
www.earthskinnursery.com
9331 NCR 3800E, Mason City, IL 62664
217/482-3524
lrnelms@springnet1.com
Specializes in central Illinois ecotype seed of common prairie forbs and
grasses. In business since 1996 and gained an excellent reputation for
seed quality. Seed only.
Prairie Patch
Jim Maddox
10932 Park Rd., Niantic, IL 62551
217/668-2409
Simply Native Nursery
www.simplynativenursery.com
681 St. Hwy 135
Alexis, IL 61412
Tel: (309) 371-9598
Fax: (309) 586-4078
E-mail: contact@simplynativenursery.com
Specializes in Western IL/Eastern IA ecotypes of forbs and grasses for
prairie, woodland ephemerals, wetland and Rain Gardens
Lee's Gardens
25986 Sauder Road
Tremont, Ilinois 61568
Tel: (309) 925-5262
Fax: (309) 925-5010
E-mail: jiboshi@aol.com
Web: www.LeesGardens.com
Specialize in woodland and prairie plants, as well as other perennials
Lafayette Home Nursery
1 Nursery Lane
Lafayette, Illinois 61449
Tel: (309) 995-3311
Fax: (309) 995-390
Mason State Nursery IL Dept. of Natural Resources, Forest Resources
17855 N. Country Road, 2400 E.
ILLINOIS NATIVE PLANT NURSERIESTopeka, Illinois 61567
Tel: (309) 535-2195
Fax: (309) 535-3286
E-mail: dhorvath@dnrmail.state.il.us
Illinois Forest Products
8699 Arenzville Road
Beardstown, Illinois 62618
Tel: (217) 323-4540, 800/304-TREE
Fax: (217) 323-9468
E-mail: ifp@casscomm.com
Web: www.illinoisforestproducts.com
H. E. Nursery
1200 Old Rt. 66
North Litchfield, Illinois 61056
Tel: (217) 324-6191
Fax: (217) 324-5756
Sun and shade plants of central Illinois. Prairie, savanna, wood-land,
wetland species. Specialize in vegetative selections: variations on color
and growth forms
Lake Clarity Testing Results:
|
|
|
|
|
Testing the Waters, 2011 is a video
showing the procedure for e-coli
testing on Lake WMT. Results of
the tests are included.
showing the procedure for e-coli
testing on Lake WMT. Results of
the tests are included.
|
|
|
|