McHenry County, IL
Home MenuWater Resources Action Plan - Update
Water Is Necessary for all Life and Economic Opportunity
2020 Water Resources Action Plan (WRAP)
Adopted by The McHenry County Board on November 17, 2020
The WRAP provides a comprehensive look at water resources in McHenry County. It uses rich graphics and photos from around the county to show how our water resources work, the threats to the resources, and best management practices that can be used to reduce those threats. Note that Chapter 5 provides a focused view specifically on water resources of McHenry County and is a must read for all residents.
The WRAP consists of four separate Sections:
I. Introduction;
II. Water Resources;
III. Significant Water Issues;
IV. Land Uses
A PDF of each Section can be downloaded by clicking on the Section Title below.
Section I: Introduction
Cover
Acknowledgments
Executive Summary
1. McHenry County Environment
2. McHenry County Demographics
3. McHenry County Land Use
Section II: Water Resources
4. General Water Resources
5. Water Resources of McHenry County
6. Water Quality
7. Water Conservation
Section III: Significant Water Issues
8. Climate Change
9. Flooding
10. Drought
11. Green Infrastructure
Section IV: Land Uses
12. Residential and Commercial Development
13. Industrial Development
14. Transportation
15. Agriculture
16. Open Space
17. Recreation
18. Golf Courses
Sidebars - Case Studies
Summary of the 2020 WRAP
The county and its residents are privileged to have inherited high quality water resources including lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands as well as several different groundwater aquifers that provide sources of drinking water. The scale and quality of these resources are unique and contribute to an attractive quality of life for our residents, businesses, and visitors.
McHenry County relies exclusively on groundwater for all its potable water needs, so protecting the aquifers is critically important. Our groundwater is not only necessary to sustain life, but also for all economic opportunity. People will not invest in homes or businesses if they do not have access to safe, reliable, and affordable water.
Although seemingly abundant, our water resources are vulnerable, and can be depleted or polluted depending on how water is used, land is managed, chemicals and pollutants are controlled, and habitat is protected. The McHenry County Water Resources Action Plan (WRAP) was updated in 2020 to help residents, businesses, municipal staff, and elected officials understand and protect McHenry County’s water resources.
The 2020 WRAP helps explain:
- Where McHenry County’s water comes from
- What threats challenge our water quality and quantity
- How to protect our water resources
To complete the WRAP update, a Task Force composed of a diverse group of stakeholders was convened in March of 2019. The Task Force met monthly from March 2019 to February 2020. Each meeting included guest speakers, expert presentations, charrette exercises, group discussions, and reviews of draft chapters. Correspondence with the Task Force continued throughout development of the WRAP document. At least 164 people participated in the Task Force meetings, with up to 60 people attending regularly.
The 2020 WRAP was completed by Planning and Development staff with significant Task Force support and adopted by the County Board in November 2020. By incorporating the latest science, trends, and analyses the 2020 WRAP can empower communities in McHenry County to protect, preserve, and enhance water resources for current and future generations.
The WRAP features rich graphics and representative photos from around the county. The online WRAP also features bookmarks that allow users to easily navigate through the document and access topics that are of most interest to them.
The WRAP consists of four separate Sections:
(1) Introduction; (2) Water Resources; (3) Significant Water Issues; (4) Land Uses
A PDF of each Section can be downloaded by clicking on the Section Title above.
Bookmarks can be turned on in most internet browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) using the icons in the top left corner of the PDF (Safari does not appear to support the PDF Bookmarks).
Select a date below for presentations, agendas, speaker biographies and other information from each of the WRAP Task Force Meetings.
If you have questions about the WRAP or need additional information, please contact Scott Kuykendall at SHKuykendall@mchenrycountyil.gov
WRAP Overview Presentation
Reference Documents
For more Information Contact
Scott Kuykendall, Water Resources Specialist at
815-334-2863 or SHKuykendall@mchenrycountyil.gov