Macomb, IL – The WIU Biology Department is coordinating a couple of studies at Spring Lake. They're being done in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
One study concerns sediment in the lake. The results will be compared to studies done in 1950 and 1996.
Park District Executive Director Ray Peterson believes the lake is quite different today compared to 30 years ago. He thinks there is quite a bit of silt coming in to the lake and he hopes the study provides some firm data.
The other study is a fish count. Peterson says researchers will sink some artificial habitat structures into the lake to attract fish to certain locations. He says it's important to maintain an ecological balance.