The Forest Preserves of Cook County recently launched a floating wetland at Schiller Pond, testing an innovative tool designed to improve water quality, create wildlife habitat and support healthier aquatic ecosystems. While floating wetlands have been used in waterways around the country, this is the first of its kind for the Forest Preserves.
Located east of O’Hare, Schiller Pond sits within a heavily urbanized landscape and receives runoff from surrounding roads, lawns and developed areas. More frequent heat waves, longer dry periods and intense rain events have contributed to elevated phosphorus and nitrogen levels, leading to algae growth, reduced water clarity and stressful conditions for aquatic life.
“Floating wetlands can kind of serve like the kidneys of a body of water,” says Michael Feldmann, a fisheries science technician for the Forest Preserves. “They help filter nutrients, improve water quality and create habitat at the same time.”
The buoyant raft is planted with native wetland species selected for local conditions. While the plants grow above the water’s surface, their roots extend below, absorbing excess nutrients and creating habitat for fish, amphibians and macroinvertebrates.
Above the water, flowering native plants attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators. Below, submerged roots provide shelter and breeding areas for aquatic life. Dragonfly and damselfly larvae can spend years underwater before emerging as adults, relying on these root systems throughout their life cycle.
“It seems like it’s already working,” says Fisheries Biologist Jim Phillips. “We already had damselflies landing on it.”
After learning from Chicago’s Wild Mile and researching different designs, fisheries staff developed a version that could be built in-house. The 10-by-5-foot prototype was constructed from PVC pipe, flotation materials and support mesh for less than $600.
The floating wetland is part of a larger strategy at the 6-acre pond. Fisheries staff have been reducing the pond’s common carp population, which stirs up sediment and releases nutrients that contribute to algae growth. Staff are also establishing a 20-foot shoreline buffer to reduce runoff and discourage large concentrations of geese from gathering near the water, where their droppings can add excess nutrients that contribute to water quality problems.
In the coming years, staff will monitor water quality and evaluate the floating wetland’s effectiveness. They hope to expand the project and potentially involve Eagle Scouts in the construction of additional units.
For more information, visit fpdcc.com/floating-wetland-pilot-launches-at-schiller-pond.
