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Assessment of water resources in areas that affect the habitat of the endangered Hine’s emerald dragonfly in the Lower Des Plaines River Valley, Illinois

Scientific Investigations Report 2018-5074
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20185074

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Abstract

Review of previous investigations indicates that potential decreases in groundwater recharge and increased groundwater extraction in the vicinity of the Lower Des Plaines River Valley in Will County, Illinois, may reduce the amount of groundwater flow in the Silurian aquifer in this area. Groundwater discharge from the Silurian aquifer to wetlands in the Lower Des Plaines River Valley plays an important role in sustaining the habitat of the endangered Hine’s emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana). Groundwater modeling performed by previous investigators indicates that increasing the amount of water pumped from the aquifer in support of expanded quarry operations near the Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve has the potential to reduce groundwater discharge to the most productive Hine’s emerald dragonfly habitats in Illinois, potentially degrading the habitat. Model simulations indicate that mitigation procedures designed to artificially enhance groundwater recharge in the vicinity of dragonfly habitats near the Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve are likely to offset the effects of increased pumping. Several areas with smaller, often intermittent populations of Hine’s emerald dragonflies have been identified in other parts of the Lower Des Plaines River Valley and elsewhere in Illinois. Human activities have the potential to produce changes in hydrology and water quality that can threaten all of these habitats.

Suggested Citation

Kay, R.T., Gahala, A.M., and Bailey, C., 2018, Assessment of water resources in areas that affect the habitat of the endangered Hine’s emerald dragonfly in the Lower Des Plaines River Valley, Illinois: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2018–5074, 104 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20185074.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

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Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Assessment of Conditions that Affect the Water Resources in the Lockport Area
  • Assessment of Conditions that Affect the Water Resources at Selected Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly Habitats in the Lower Des Plaines River Valley
  • Implications for Habitat Preservation and Future Data Collection
  • Summary and Conclusions
  • References
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Assessment of water resources in areas that affect the habitat of the endangered Hine’s emerald dragonfly in the Lower Des Plaines River Valley, Illinois
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2018-5074
DOI 10.3133/sir20185074
Year Published 2018
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Illinois Water Science Center
Description ix, 104 p.
Country United States
State Illinois
Other Geospatial Lower Des Plaines River Valley
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details