Chicago Botanic Garden Environmental Science
Aquatics
For several years, the Chicago Botanic Garden has been engaged in a major project to enhance the water quality of its 60-acre lake system and address erosion problems along the six miles of shoreline. The goals of the Lake Enhancement Program are to preserve and reinforce these fragile shorelines, develop a healthy aquatic ecosystem and create a preeminent collection of aquatic plants.
The Garden has many thousands of aquatic plants representing 137 taxa. Vivid displays of ornamental aquatic plants are found in pools throughout the Garden–most notably the Heritage Garden. The vivid hues and textures of waterlilies and lotus grace the Aquatic Garden, which also includes colorful containers of aquatic plants along the boardwalk.
The creation of new Water Gardens surrounding the Garden’s central lake is greatly expanding the aquatic plant collection. These displays will include tens of thousands of aquatic plants native to Illinois. Shallow-water plants such as giant bur reed, swamp dock, pickerel weed and lake sedge will be incorporated along with masses of eye-catching lotuses, waterlilies, water cannas and taro.
To stabilize shoreline edges, the Garden’s shoreline restoration projects favor "bioengineered" treatments with native aquatic plant species. These plants are particularly resilient to water level fluctuations and the Chicago region's less-than-ideal clay soils.
Through cooperative programs with governmental partners, the Garden conducts research and demonstrates effective ways to improve lake water quality and provide a broad diversity of habitat for aquatic flora and fauna. Ongoing studies of the best methods for growing aquatic plants and controlling invasive aquatic plant species are yielding important information.
