History of Dixie Creek

1937

1937 aerial image of the Dixie Creek watershed. Taken over eighty five years ago, this image shows the Dixie Creek watershed, which was in agricultural production except for a small number of houses near the Fox River. Algonquin was home to approximately 900 residents in 1937.  The agricultural land use within the Dixie Creek watershed continued until the 1980’s when Algonquin saw an explosion of residential and commercial development.

2022

2022 aerial image of the Dixie Creek watershed. Algonquin’s current population is approximately 30,000 residents.

1937 aerial image of the Dixie Creek Reach 3 project location. Note the majority of the site was in agricultural production, with a small stand of trees in the far NE corner of the site.

​The Willoughby Farms subdivision that surrounds Dixie Creek Reach 3 was built in the 1990’s with all of the stormwater infrastructure for the surrounding houses draining into Dixie Creek.

Dixie Creek Reach 3 Restoration

The Dixie Creek watershed contains 2.5 miles of stream and drains 1.8 square miles (1,150 acres).

---

Algonquin Watercourses

As the gem of the Fox River Valley, the Village of Algonquin is home to 6 watercourses: Dixie Creek, Woods Creek, Ratt Creek, Crystal Creek, Souwanas Creek and the Fox River. These watersheds weave their way throughout the Village's suburban outskirts before reaching the Fox River valley, at the Village's downtown hub.

---

Algonquin Restored Watercourses

Woods Creek Reach 3 - Restored in 2017

Woods Creek Reach 5 - Restored in 2022

Ratt Creek Reach 5 - Restored in 2022

Project Photos

Current Dixie Creek Images

Before restoration, stream with eroded banks and little ground layer vegetation.

Before restoration, stream with severely eroded banks and little ground layer vegetation. Shrub and tree layer consisting of invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle.

Before restoration, area of active erosion where cool season grasses fail to hold streambank in place.

Before restoration, view of high-quality fen. This area will be excluded from active construction and managed only for removal of undesirable species such as phragmites and cattail.