Illinois Launches Projects to Reduce Lake Michigan Shoreline Erosion at Illinois Beach State Park

Two revolutionary projects are currently underway at Lake Michigan’s Illinois Beach State Park in Lake County, Illinois, to help protect harmful shoreline erosion that threatens the last remaining natural shoreline in the state. Some portions of the shoreline have receded by as much as 100 feet in one year, making it a priority for preservation efforts.

“Illinois’ lakefronts are a national treasure and one of our greatest natural resources, and it’s essential that we preserve these spaces for future generations to love and learn from,” Governor Pritzker said. “This historic, ambitious project from IDNR and its partners is a commitment that Illinois will continue to tackle the effects of the climate crisis head on and work to build a cleaner, more sustainable Illinois for everyone to enjoy.”

The first of the two projects is the largest capital project in the history of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, costing $73 million. The ground-breaking project will preserve 2.2 miles of shoreline through construction of islands and submerged reef structures positioned in the lake to help guide and direct the movement of the sand, and protect critical ecological habitats and vulnerable infrastructure, while providing new homes for aquatic and avian species. Funding for the project was secured by the Capital Development Board (CDB) and made possible through the historic Rebuild Illinois capital plan. Construction is set to begin in spring 2023.

“This approach reflects a broader change in the way shorelines are being protected around the globe,” said IDNR Director Colleen Callahan. “Our project explores new ground and sets new standards for what living shorelines can be and what we can achieve in the Great Lakes.”

The second project involves the installation of stone “rubble bridges” off the coastline of the southern end of the park. In summer 2021, crews constructed three 750-foot rubble bridges of stones about 500 feet offshore in this pilot project, which prioritizes lower impact and less expensive measures to protect the shoreline. 

“This project represents an important step toward the future of Great Lakes coastal resiliency,” said Ania Bayers, natural resources manager of the IDNR Coastal Management Program. “It’s also a testament to the importance of interagency collaboration, a reliance on good science, and innovative design to preserve the most basic and important qualities of the places Illinoisans love.”

To learn more, visit healthyportfutures.com/project/illinois-beach-state-park/.