Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) and Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Illinois Beach State Park Shoreline Stabilization

Illinois Beach State Park (IBSP) is the last natural, contiguous six miles of Lake Michigan shoreline remaining in the state of Illinois and is the state’s first dedicated Nature Preserve. It includes a unique combination of climate, topography, and soil conditions that have resulted in a diversity of natural habitats recognized as globally important. In recent years, dramatic fluctuations in the lake level have impacted the preserve with severe shoreline erosion and inland flooding. As landowner and operator, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) initiated this shoreline stabilization project that will protect nearly 2.2 miles of the IBSP shoreline and combat the loss of rare habitat.

The project’s coastal engineers have applied a nature-based stabilization strategy to offshore breakwater design that is compatible with preserving the park’s unique ecological resources and natural character. Rather than stopping erosion by building hardened shorelines, the design seeks to guide and direct the movement of sand, complimenting the historic littoral process. The approach uses breakwaters positioned out in the lake rather than built directly along the shore. Given the sensitivity and ecological value of the park, in addition to shoreline stabilization details, a thoughtful analysis of construction methods aimed at a reduction in potential impacts to the delicate ecosystems both onshore and offshore has been part of the planning from the onset.

Living Habitats was part of the design-build team tasked with the final design, permitting and execution of the shoreline stabilization structures. The project goals included addressing specific avian and aquatic habitat creation and enhancement through targeted amendments. The park attracts three coastal bird species of special importance to the IDNR that have potential to be supported as part of this project: the Piping Plover, the Common Tern, and the Caspian Tern. The project’s beach nourishment activities will restore valuable habitat for the Piping Plover. Additionally, the breakwater structures hold the right lake position for Tern habitat. To address the crucial habitat needs, a colony of custom nest structures were added to one of the breakwaters as new breeding locations for the Terns.

Most of the Great Lakes suffer due to human impacts and invasive species. Despite this reality, Mudpuppies and Yellow Perch have been identified by the IDNR as species that have the potential to be offered habitat support as part of the project. Additionally, the project offers the opportunity to trial a variety of habitat elements that can support a range of desirable aquatic species, with planned monitoring aimed at recording outcomes that can inform future Great Lakes projects. A range of innovative habitat structures have been distributed on and around six of the breakwaters. These include custom and salvaged concrete habitat blocks, sunken driftwood for small fish habitat, limestone rock ledges and rock topper, and vegetated concrete blocks supplemented with aquatic plants.

 

Location:
Northeast Illinois, Village of Zion

Date:
October 2021 – August 2024

Team:
MICHELS CORPORTATION: Lead Contractor

MOFFAT & NICHOL: Coastal Engineering

LIVING HABITATS: Ecological Services and Landscape Architecture

COLLINS ENGINEERS, INC.: Construction Inspection

Awards:
WEDG® (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) Verification

ASBPA (American Shore and Beach Preservation Association) 2024 Best Restored Beaches