Condition of Illinois
Rivers and Streams
Understanding the Charts
The charts below show the overall condition of river miles in Illinois. They also show the most common types of pollution in Illinois rivers and the major sources of this pollution.
Top Problems
Here is a rundown on the major types of pollution:
- Too many nutrients refer to excess plant food such as nitrogen and phosphorus.
- Habitat changes include changes to streambanks and drainage of wetlands.
- Too much organic matter is rotting animal and plant material.
- Soil moving into water is also known as “siltation.”
- Suspended solids include soil floating in the water.
- Metals include iron, cadmium, and mercury.
Major Sources of Pollution
One category under “Major Sources of Pollution” may need an explanation:
- Changes made to river include dredging (scooping sediment from the river bottom) and the straightening of rivers.
Where Do These Numbers Come From?
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency looked at 15,570 miles of rivers and streams in Illinois for its 2001 report.
Download a printer friendly version (PDF).
Download a printer friendly version (PDF).
