OUR PROJECT EXPERIENCE

SPRINGFIELD METRO SANITARY DISTRICT: SUGAR CREEK

The Springfield Metro Sanitary District (SMSD) was established in 1917, and currently serves over 145,000 people in the Springfield [IL] metro area, including the communities of Chatham, Grandview, Jerome, Leland Grove, Rochester, Sherman and Southern View.  The SMSD operates multiple wastewater collection system and treatment facilities. The Sugar Creek facility was constructed in 1973. 

The Sugar Creek facility is located on the east side of Springfield with the treated effluent entering Sugar Creek, a tributary of the Sangamon River.  The facility grounds cover approximately one square mile and much of the land cover within the facility grounds is composed of forested floodplain and farmland.  Prairie Engineers staff, while employed at a different firm, conducted intensive field surveys for wetland resources and protected species prior to facility improvements.  Species of concern included the Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), Kirtland’s Snake (Clonophis kirtlandii), Lined Snake (Tropidoclonion lineatum), and Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis).

Species surveys were conducted over eight weeks and included mist netting, placement of artificial cover boards, and general site observations for nesting and predatory behaviors targeted at the various species.  None of the targeted species were identified at the site.  The wetland surveys identified a variety of wetland types and sizes. The size of the wetlands ranged from less than a quarter acre to 23 acres; however, most were less than five acres.  Floristic quality indices ranged from 4.0 to 23.5, showing varying degrees of disturbance oriented species throughout the property. 

The detailed surveys allowed the District to plan facility improvements around the wetland resources and provide documentation of no negative impacts to protected species to resource agencies.  The coordination with the District and design engineers expedited the permitting process and avoided delays in construction.

Click here for other Ecological Survey projects

Allen Road Drainage Design

Springfield Metro Sanitary District: Sugar Creek

Camp Lincoln Parking Lot

Dekalb Taylor Airport Drainage Study

The Grove/Kickapoo Creek

Gregory Drive Reconstruction Survey

Pulaski Street

Indian Creek Covered Bridge

City of Lincoln Roadway Condition Index

Ameren Vegetation Management Survey

Galesburg ADA Improvement Survey

Boundary Surveys at Airports

US Route 20 4(f) Report

Dubuque Mitigation Monitoring

USACE Levee Inspections

St. John's Hospital Parking Lot Permitting

Lincoln Engineering Program Management

Northeast Missouri Regional Airport Permit

City of Lincoln GIS Sewer Inventory

Stout Field

Missouri River Hydrogeomorphic Study

Alexander Lumber ALTA

Peoria City/County Landfill Surveys

Sterling Riverfront

Fifth Street Road Reconstruction

Rural Fifth Street Road Right-of-way Appraisals

Lincoln TIF District

Lincoln Park District Parking Lot

Palestine Streetscape

USACE Levee Surveys

Muscatatuck Urban Training Center

Lincoln Downtown Revitalization

Southern Illinois Airport Stormwater Detention Design

Chicago to Quad Cities at Grade Rail Crossing Surveys

Quincy Bridge Replacement

City of Waggoneer Grant Administration Project

Parkwood Prairies

Lincoln Capital Improvement Plan

Macon County Conservation District Master Plan Update

Litchfield Streetscape

Springfield Metro Sanitary District

Adams Electric Cooperative

Iowa Interstate Tree Density Survey

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital Water and Sewer Main Extention

Savannah Riverport Railroad Yard Surveys

Traffic Noise and Vibration Technical Experience

Lincoln Distribution Center of Illinois - American Water Company

Aviation Boundary Surveys

Camp Butler National Cemetery

Lincoln Station Boundary Survey

Cardinal Hill Road

Central Illinois Ag Survey

Illinois American Water High Speed Rail Crossing