Frequently Asked Questions
(1) What is the Bubbly Creek study?
The South Fork of the South Branch of the Chicago River, also known as Bubbly Creek, Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study (the Bubbly Creek study) is congressionally authorized and is jointly funded study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) - Chicago District, together with local sponsor, the City of Chicago. The primary focus of the study is ecosystem restoration.
(2) What area does the study cover?
The study area includes the entire 1.25-mile channel of the South Fork of the South Branch of the Chicago River, known as Bubbly Creek, located in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.
(3) Why is the study being conducted?
Overall, water quality in the Chicago River has been improving, and land along the river is currently being redeveloped. Several activities are currently underway or planned to improve the water quality. However, additional work on Bubbly Creek is needed to improve nuisance conditions caused by sewer overflows, to restore habitat, and to continue to improve the general appearance and water quality, which is jeopardized by a century of slaughterhouse pollution that rests on the creek bottom. Ecosystem restoration will improve water quality, protect public health, restore habitat, and revitalize economic development.
(4) Who is managing the Bubbly Creek study?
This effort is a partnership between USACE and the City of Chicago. Overall study management is the responsibility of an Executive Steering Committee (ESC), which at a minimum will consist of members from USACE, the City of Chicago, and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC). Other members may be added to the ESC as the study progresses, if deemed appropriate.
(5) How much will the study cost and how is it being funded?
The entire feasibility study, which will include National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance documents, is projected to cost $2,650,000 and is expected to be complete in 2011. It is being funded by a cost-sharing agreement between USACE and the City of Chicago. The “Project Management Plan, Bubbly Creek, South Branch of the Chicago River, Illinois, Feasibility Study” hyperlink to document provides additional detail on project costs.
(6) Why is the Bubbly Creek study being conducted?
The Bubbly Creek ecosystem has been severely degraded by major physical alterations, including deepening and widening the channel, creating sheet pile banks, complete filling of wetlands within the original drainage area, severe hydrologic alterations, and introducing polluted sediments and runoff. Ecosystem restoration will improve water quality, protect public health, restore habitat, and revitalize economic development.
(7) What are the technical challenges associated with the project?
Bubbly Creek faces a complex series of challenges that contribute to severe ecosystem degradation and that must be solved to allow for successful ecosystem restoration. Stagnant flow contributes significantly to the poor water quality in Bubbly Creek. Demonstration projects conducted by MWRDGC concluded that creation of artificial flow during dry weather can drastically improve water quality. One technical challenge associated with the project will be development of a sustainable method for introducing flow in Bubbly Creek during dry weather.
In addition, sediment remediation measures to be considered include removing and capping. Since anaerobic decomposition of the bottom sediments produces large amounts of gas and high velocities occur in the channel during overflows, challenges will be posed with sediment capping at this site.Field demonstrations are therefore recommended to assist or provide valuable information in selecting capping materials, placement methods, and gas collection and treatment systems.
Finally, initial phases of the study have indicated that Bubbly Creek must retain the capacity to accept a limited number of combined sewer overflows to prevent local flooding and basement backups in the 30-square-mile area of the south side of Chicago served by the Racine Avenue Pumping Station. Restoration alternatives must account for some amount of contaminant introduction from combined sewer overflows.
(8) What is the public’s role and how can the public be involved?
The public can stay informed by visiting the Bubbly Creek website at www.bubblycreekstudy.org. The public can also participate at key points in the process, voicing any concerns or providing knowledge to the study team, as well as to state and federal representatives. For further information, the public can contact USACE or the City of Chicago.
