In the winter of 2022-23, the City will make improvements to Sediment Pond (the northern-most pond) in Villa Park.  This pond was constructed in 1985 as a flood reduction and water quality project for Lake McCarrons.  The pond captures stormwater from approximately 1,023 acres, and allows sediment to drop out before the water outlets and flows through a series of wetlands towards Lake McCarrons.  The Capitol Region Watershed District also uses Sediment Pond for monitoring purposes to collect water quality and flow data.  

The proposed improvements will include replacing the outlet on the SE side of the pond near the walking bridge, tree management, and dredging the pond of accumulated sediment.  Currently, there is approximately 1,600 cubic-yards (160 dump truck loads) of sediment that needs to be removed from the NW end of the pond where the stormwater enters.   

In the late summer of 2022, the City will contract with a company to trap turtles that use Sediment Pond as a location to hibernate over the winter.  Turtles that are trapped will be relocated to the wetlands downstream of Sediment Pond.   

The work to the pond will help protect the water quality of the downstream wetlands and Lake McCarrons.

Turtle Trapping & Relocation 

The City will be trapping turtles in Sediment Pond and relocating them to the wetland cells to the south.  Traps will be set starting Monday, August 8, and will be checked daily throughout August and into fall.  The traps will be baited Monday through Friday each week, and they will not be set out over the weekends.  By trapping the turtles, we can relocate them to a safe location where they can burrow and hibernate over winter.  

Timeline:

• August 8 thru October 28  - Turtle trapping and relocation in Villa Park
• November 16 - Dewatering of Sediment Pond and wetland south Sediment Pond to prepare for construction.  Initial dewatering will take 2-3 days to lower the pond to an elevation where work can start.  Additional dewatering will continue as needed throughout the project to maintain a workable area.
• Late November/mid-December - Removal of select trees in areas where maintenance work is needed.    
  Mid-December – dredging of the northern half of Sediment Pond, along with stabilization and grading.  Proposed work is to take one week for dredging and one week for the additional work.  
  Mid-January 2023 – outlet and storm sewer pipe installation.  Proposed work is to take two weeks.

Note:  All work is weather dependent and subject to change.  

Contractor:  Kevitt Excavating