Kishwaukee River

High chemical levels found in a section of the Kishwaukee River in DeKalb County could be hurting the health of animals, officials said Thursday as they continue work on a plan aimed at protecting its watershed.

A group dedicated to restoring waters in the Kishwaukee River watershed will host a public meeting next week and invites residents, especially those who live in the northern DeKalb County watershed, to weigh in on plans to steward the land.

It promises to be a fun-filled weekend in Genoa when the ninth annual Genoa Volks Fest returns to Carroll Memorial Park. The festival runs Friday through Sunday.

Greg Romaneck, of DeKalb enjoys kayaking the scenic Kishwaukee River and he works to keep it that way. Romaneck combines his time paddling the river with keeping it clean by picking up litter during his regular outings.

DeKalb resident Greg Romaneck uses his time paddling along the Kishwaukee River for a good cause: While he floats along, he picks up litter he finds in the water. He hopes his efforts might inspire others.

Advocates and supporters of public waterways say they are concerned about the implications that a recent Illinois Supreme Court decision could have on access to DuPage and Kishwaukee rivers in northern Illinois.

A $7 million project to consolidate the Village of Malta and Kishwaukee College’s wastewater treatment facilities was heralded by state and local officials Friday as a cost-savings measure which will also improve area water quality.

A plan to replace two bridges over the Kishwaukee River in DeKalb along First Street and Lucinda Avenue likely won’t begin significant construction for another year, with an October 2023 target date for completion, city officials said this week.

While the county has seen rainfall increase in the last century, storms are happening more infrequently, leading to periods of drought