Misganaw DEMISSIE 1 , Melinda TIDRICK 2 , and Christopher JENNINGS 3
1 Principal Scientist and Head, Watershed Science Section, Illinois State Water Survey, 2204 Griffith Drive, Champaign, IL 61820- 7495.
2 Assistant Professional Scientist, Watershed Science Section, Illinois State Water Survey, 2204 Griffith Drive, Champaign, IL 61820-7495.
3 Assistant Professional Scientist, Watershed Science Section, Illinois State Water Survey, 2204 Griffith Drive, Champaign, IL 61820-7495.
The Illinois River connects the Great Lakes with the Mississippi River through the Illinois Waterway consisting of eight lock and dams along the river. The Illinois River has become the focus of state and federal agencies interested in integrated watershed management. As a result, issues related to habitat restoration, floodplain management, navigation, erosion and sedimentation, and water quality are all being discussed at the watershed level. In support of this effort, the Illinois Scientific Surveys have initiated development of the Illinois Rivers Decision Support System (ILRDSS) for use in assessing and evaluating the effectiveness of different restoration projects. The ILRDSS will integrate and expand existing databases and models for segments of the Illinois River into an integrated decision support system for the entire watershed. New databases and models are also being developed for the watershed, as well as a comprehensive ILRDSS web portal to all available data and information on the Illinois River and its watershed.