There are many sources of pollution contributing to problems in Illinois' streams, and the largest source is agriculture.  This should come as no surprise with over 27 million acres in agricultural production in Illinois - over 19 million in row crops.  Polluted stormwater runoff from farm fields is a serious water quality problem in the state.

When rain or snow falls, the water that eventually moves off the land picks up chemicals and fertilizer applied to farm fields.  Rainfall and surface water flows also cause soil to erode and be carried into nearby rivers and streams.  As pollutants reach our waters they can cause problems for people and aquatic communities downstream.
 

• The Illinois EPA has stated in its 2002 Water Quality Report that 5,549 miles of Illinois streams do not meet water quality standards. (Out of 15,491 miles monitored or evaluated by IEPA)
• Agriculture is the source of impairment for 73% of these streams, or 4,071 miles.
• The second highest source of impairment is hydromodification - the alteration of in-stream habitat and streambanks - which can be attributed to the work of agricultural drainage districts, which impairs 2,013 miles (over 36%). Another similar category of a cause ? habitat alterations ? impairs 2,732 miles. Altering the stream's habitat has a profoundly negative impact on aquatic life.
• 55%, or 3,082 miles, of the total assessed stream miles are impaired by excessive nutrients. Many drinking water supplies are affected by this pollutant, and it can cause dissolved oxygen levels to drop, impacting aquatic life. Low dissolved oxygen impairs 2,962 miles.
• Siltation, caused by the erosion of soil, impacts 35%, or 1,978 miles, of the assessed streams. Sediments from erosion fill in lakes and even streams, degrade wetland habitat, and smother fish eggs.

Prairie Rivers Network recognizes the seriousness of the problem, and also recognizes the challenges the Illinois farmer faces in addressing these issues.  Prairie Rivers Network has stated that farmers are Illinois' most important natural resource managers.  Furthermore we recognize the needs of society for food production, but do not believe that it needs to come at the expense of clean water.  We believe Illinois can have both robust agriculture and clean water.

As part of our work on agricultural runoff, we're pushing for improved policies to address polluted runoff; looking for better ways of controlling runoff; working with farmers and landowners in watersheds impacted by agricultural polluted runoff; and also asserting, in spite of opposition from strong agribusiness interests, that clean water and agriculture can co-exist as priorities.