Illinois Success Story

NRCS Digital Soil Surveys…A Key Resource for Ecosystem Restoration and Flood Damage Reduction in the Mississippi Floodplain

By: Jill Creamean, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist
October 2002

Up-to-date, detailed NRCS Soil Survey information is a key resource for individuals and private and government organizations to make educated decisions on many issues including land use, development and resource conservation.

In one such case, Digital Soil Survey information was essential in the planning and development of the proposed East St. Louis and Vicinity, Illinois, Ecosystem Restoration and Flood Damage Reduction Project. The multi-agency partnership effort in cooperation with state and local government project led by the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) is currently under development and review.

"The Madison and St. Clair County Digital Soil Surveys have proved to be invaluable to the St. Louis District, Corps of Engineers," said Timothy George, ACOE Ecologist.

The Corps of Engineers used digital soils information to examine restoration alternatives using wetlands and other habitats as temporary storm water storage areas to reduce the impacts of flooding. Soil Survey databases were used to document hydric/nonhydric soil conditions of the presettlement ecosystem; assess and display changes in extent of wetlands, lakes and ponds due to development; describe existing soil resources; and assess soils of horseradish fields, a specialized crop in the 106,000-acre study area.

Soil Survey information was also key in assessing the potential impacts of the project and preparing information for initiation of compliance with the federal Farmland Preservation Act and Illinois Farmland Preservation Act.

Digitized Soil Surveys are providing the ACOE, among many others, with the information needed to plan and complete projects for the protection and wise use of our resources.