The Lake County Forest Preserves and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chicago District are beginning a long-planned effort to restore wetlands, streams, prairies and savannas at Dutch Gap Forest Preserve in Antioch.

The estimated $15 million project is designed to restore water flow and wetland habitat across the nearly 794-acre preserve. Decades of farming transformed the landscape as previous landowners installed an underground drainage system to carry water away from wetlands, dug drainage ditches and redirected a natural stream into the Dutch Gap Canal to convert wetlands into cropland.

As a result, the landscape no longer functions as it once did. It’s less able to reduce flooding, filter water and provide habitat for native plants and wildlife. The soil has degraded, and little wetland or other native habitat remains.

The preserve includes approximately 534 acres of farmland. The federally funded project will reestablish native prairie, savanna and wetland communities while protecting a rare one-acre remnant fen.

"It is rare to receive outside funding on this scale to restore native habitat across an entire forest preserve," said Pati Vitt, director of natural resources. "For decades, Dutch Gap's natural wetlands have been drained. This is an historic investment that will allow the land to function more naturally, improving water quality, reducing flooding and creating healthier habitat for wildlife."

Dutch Gap is located east of Route 45 and north of Route 173 between Prairie Stream and Pine Dunes forest preserves. Part of a large ecological complex and greenway in north-central Lake County, Dutch Gap was identified as a restoration priority in 2015.

About two years ago, a contractor was hired to study water movement across the preserve and develop a plan to remove or disable the underground drain tile system. As part of the project, crews will disconnect sections of the system so water can once again flow naturally across wetlands and floodplains.

Over the next three years, contractors will remove invasive trees and shrubs, reshape the Dutch Gap Canal into a meandering stream corridor and use prescribed burns to maintain newly restored prairie, savanna and wetland communities.

The Forest Preserves acquired the site through five purchases in 2010 and 2011 and a small donation last year. Dutch Gap currently has no parking or trails, although a future trail connection is planned.

The Army Corps will fund 65% of the project, or $9.75 million. The Forest Preserves will receive a $5 million credit for the value of the land, reducing its direct contribution to about $1.24 million.

Media contact: Kim Mikus, [email protected], 847-968-3202.

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