By Shaw Local News Network
After nearly a decade of planning, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has approved a contract to remove Carpentersville Dam in the Fox River Shores Forest Preserve.
Officials announced in a news release that work to remove the dam could begin by the end of the month.
The IDNR approved a dam removal contract on July 2. Kane County Forest Preserve commissioners approved it on July 9.
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County owns the Carpentersville Dam and nearly the entire shoreline for 2.5 miles upstream.
“It took some time to get here, but taking Carpentersville Dam out will be a huge benefit for both recreation and for conservation,” Forest Preserve Executive Director Benjamin Haberthur said in the release.
The dam’s removal will begin healing the Fox River and restoring the natural riverine resource, he said in the release.
“Once the dam is removed, the Fox River will be free-flowing from Algonquin all the way down to Elgin,” Haberthur said in the release. “This will allow the public to safely boat, kayak or canoe in this area, without the safety concerns of the dam, and/or having to portage around it. We’ll also see the health of the Fox River improve. Fish and other aquatic wildlife will be able to swim freely.”
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