In October 2024, A3 Environmental Consultants completed a wetland delineation study as part of the Meadowlands Drainage Study in Sterling, Whiteside County, Illinois. The site, a 17-acre parcel with a 5.7-acre man-made stormwater pond and a fallow farm field, required a detailed evaluation to assess potential wetlands and their regulatory status. The site was bordered by LeFevre Road to the north and Enterprise Drive to the south, with Commerce Drive and Gartner Park flanking the west and east, respectively.
Drainage Study
We conducted the delineation on August 8, 2024. The process included both desktop analysis and fieldwork, adhering to the guidelines set by the Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual. The delineation revealed three distinct wetlands.
Wetland A, the largest, covered 3.2 acres and was once classified as a palustrine pond on the National Wetland Inventory map. However, more recent observations showed it resembled a fallow agricultural field, indicating the pond had likely drained over time. Wetland B was a smaller, 0.04-acre area formed due to grading activities that created a low spot for stormwater runoff. Lastly, Wetland C, a 5.6-acre stormwater management pond, had a wetland fringe along its margins, measuring about 0.08 acres in total.
Wetland Delineation Findings
None of these wetlands appeared to provide habitat for endangered species based on the EcoCAT review. A3 used precise GPS technology to mark the boundaries, and the final wetland delineation was completed with the understanding that future work near these areas might require consultation with the U.S. Army Corps to ensure compliance with federal regulations.
This project demonstrates A3’s thoroughness and capability in managing wetland delineations as a part of a drainage study, ensuring both environmental protection and regulatory compliance for development projects.
