Lake Decatur’s water comes from a watershed (or drainage area) that is 925 square miles in size and includes parts of 7 counties in east central Illinois. In order to preserve the recently completed $92 million Lake Decatur dredging project investment and improve the lake’s water quality, in February 2020, the Decatur City Council authorized that a comprehensive long term watershed management plan be created. Northwater Consulting of Springfield, Illinois was selected to complete the plan. Documents posted here provide more information about the plan.
April 2023 Lake and Watershed Management Update Podcast
2022 Lake Decatur Watershed Management Plan Phase IV – Scope of Services and Budget with Northwater Consultingopens PDF file added 1/20/2023
2022 $9.88M USDA RCPP Grant Awardopens PDF file
Farmer Led Lake Decatur Advisory Watershed Boardopens PDF file
Illinois Crop Cover Initiative
Lake Decatur Watershed Monitoring Summary – Year 1 (2021)opens PDF file added 2/1/2022
2021 Lake Decatur Watershed Management Plan & Initiative Long Term Strategyopens PDF file added 5/11/2021
Watershed Plans:
Bluffs Watershed Planopens PDF file
Sand Creek Watershed Planopens PDF file
Willow Branch Watershed Planopens PDF file
Wildcat Watershed Planopens PDF file
Friends Creek Watershed Planopens PDF file
