Hickory Creek Study Looks Good, Could Be Better

Dozens of people, ranging from scientists to school children, participated in a Bio Blitz recently, gathering samples from Hickory Creek in order to measure its health.

The Daily Southtown reported that the group searched areas of the water where organisms lived. Using tweezers, the group sorted through water, mud, leaves and rocks for anything that moved.

“This is a healthy stream,” said Jim Huff, from Huff & Huff, an environmental engineering firm in Oak Brook. “Could it be healthier? Yes.”

Huff referred to the dam in Piltcher Park which offers aesthetic value, but restricts fish from traveling to the creek. That impacts the overall health of the stream, he said.

Huff said he has been studying the creek for ten years. This is the second year for this type of testing, which includes monitoring the pH levels and temperature. The diversity of the living organisms indicates the health of the water, he said.

The studies were organized through the Hickory Creek Watershed Planning Group.

The Hickory Creek Watershed includes over 100 miles of streams.

“Hickory Creek and its major tributaries – Spring Creek, Marley Creek and Union Ditch – flow through Tinley Park, Orland Park, Frankfort, Frankfort Square, Mokena, Homer Glen, New Lenox and Joliet,” according to Hickory Creek Watershed website. ”But Hickory Creek tributaries also drain corners of University Park, Richton Park, Matteson, Country Club Hills and Lockport, so they are part of the watershed, too. “

Via Daily Southtown >>