What we do….. Heartland Water Resources was founded in 1988 after a number of individuals and other organizations realized the tremendous problem and dedication needed to save and restore the Peoria Lakes. And a new organization was needed whose sole purpose was the Peoria Lakes. Heartland Water Resources Council’s educates the public on issues related to sedimentation, erosion, flooding and other issues pertinent to our lakes and tributaries. There are numerous agencies and organizations working for the betterment of the Illinois River and its tributary streams, including the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, The Wetlands Initiative, The Nature Conservancy and Heartland Water Resources Council. It is envision that the Illinois River Bluffs Ecosystem Partnership will not be in a leadership role in relation to river and stream issues, but will be in a supportive role when other’s objectives are consistent with those identified by the partnership. The Partnership goals are to manage the Illinois River for multipurpose use (boating, fishing, products) by Reducing conflicts between navigation, recreation & wildlife and reducing negative environmental impacts of human uses on the river. Increase awareness of the disadvantages of channelization of streams. Restore a more natural hydrology to the floodplain and river. Stop re-suspension of sediment in backwater lakes. Sediment has cut the depths of Peoria Lakes by over 1 foot since 1988. Average depth today is about 2 feet, and the majority of remaining deep water habitat is found in the barge channel. The habitat projects are alleviating these types of adverse changes by restoring and protecting high value fish and wildlife habitat. A variety of techniques are used in various combinations to address the unique circumstances of each particular area. Some of the techniques being employed include: Dredging to remove sediment from selected backwaters and side channels and to restore aquatic habitat. Constructing dikes and levees to keep silt-laden water out of prime habitat areas and to control water levels for optional food growth for waterfowl. Building islands to decrease wind-generated disturbances, thereby reducing turbidity and creating habitat for small aquatic plants and animals. Altering the flow of water side channels and backwaters to decrease flows of sediment-laden water during high water and to increase dissolved oxygen levels during low water.

Heartland Water Resources Council participates in the annual Illinois River Sweep. The River Sweep is a volunteer effort to beautify the Illinois River and its watershed by picking up trash and litter. All across the country, communities are discovering the dramatic results that a well-organized cleanup can bring to a riverfront, public park, or a neighborhood. Not only will an event like this yield the immediate benefits or a cleaner more pleasing river, it will serve as a wonderful educational tool, it has been proven time and again that participation in cleanup events motivates people to practice responsible habits. And they pass these habits on to others. Wetlands can be thought of as "biological supermarkets." They provide great volumes of food that attract many animal species. These animals use wetlands for part of or all of their life-cycle. Dead plant leaves and stems break down in the water to form small particles of organic material called "detritus." This enriched material feeds many small aquatic insects, shellfish, and small fish that are food for larger predatory fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. The ability of wetlands to control erosion is so valuable that some states are restoring wetlands in coastal areas to buffer the storm surges from hurricanes and tropical storms. Wetlands at the margins of lakes, rivers, bays, and the ocean protect shorelines and stream banks against erosion. Wetland plants hold the soil in place with their roots, absorb the energy of waves, and break up the flow of stream or river currents. A Watershed is a region draining into a river, river system, or other body of water. Depending on where we live, we cross brooks, creeks, runs, branches, gulches, arroyos, bayous, ditches, or channels as we drive to work each day. Each stream we cross is part of a massive network of perhaps three million streams that drain to the rivers and, ultimately, to the sea. Each stream has its own watershed that circumscribes all of the land that drains to the point where we cross it. Collectively, these small watersheds provide critical natural services that sustain or enrich our daily lives: they supply our drinking water, critical habitat for plants and animals, areas of natural beauty, and water bodies for recreation and relaxation. Small streams are an important element of our local geography, and confer a strong sense of place to a community. The rain that falls in all of our yards will sooner or later transport our soil, lawn care chemicals, etc. downstream. Sometimes it’s what we don’t do within the watershed that causes problems. Illinois River Bluffs Ecosystem Partnership are coalitions of local and regional interests seeking to maintain and enhance ecological and economic conditions in local landscapes. A typical Ecosystem Partnership merges natural resources stewardship with compatible economic and recreational development. The Illinois River Bluffs begin hear Hennepin, where the Illinois River makes its “Big Bend” toward the south, and ends at the southern end of Peoria Lake at East Peoria. The tributary streams of the Illinois River Bluffs host 53 species of fish, 6 of mussels, and 14 of malocostracans while the Illinois River itself hosts 82 species of fish, 33 of mussels and 5 malocostracans. Just as the Illinois River Bluff is the heart of Illinois, the Illinois River is the heart of Illinois River Bluffs. While not a fabled stream like the Hudson, Columbia or nearby Mississippi, it is Illinois’ grandest natural landmarks.