PROJECT
Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge
PHASE 2:
Wetland Channeling & Beaver Dam Analogues
Location
Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, McHenry County, Illinois
Introduction
The site is a former wetland that was drained for farming, with approximately 7,225 linear feet of drain tiles that had significantly altered the hydrology of the site. The goal of this project was to restore the site back to its original state as a 100-acre wetland.
Services
Drain tile removal.
Main drainage channel that was filled and graded.
Woody material covering the beaver dam analog.
The first step was the removal of approximately 18 acres of invasive trees using forestry mowers along with a low-ground-pressure amphibious excavator. With the trees cleared, drain tiles were located using historical drain tile maps and removed. A large man-made channel created to move water off the site was filled in and graded.
Once the natural hydrology was restored, ILM created 6, Beaver Dam Analog structures designed to encourage beavers to build their dams on top of the analogs, creating ecological habitat.
Once the natural hydrology was restored, ILM created 6, Beaver Dam Analog structures designed to encourage beavers to build their dams on top of the analogs, creating ecological habitat.
Stone based of beaver dam analogue.
Details
The biggest setback of this project was finding the drain tiles. Documentation of drain tile locations was not accurate and the crew had to dig exploratory channels to find the tiles.
Video and photos courtesy of Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge