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The objectives of this project are to continue the introduction of long-lasting structural and biological habitat to Lake Shelbyville. This will be accomplished through a combina-tion of habitat editions (PVC cube/ artificial stump structures) and plantings of aquat-ic/semi-aquatic vegetation, both directly on shorelines as well as on artificial floating is-lands designed to be planted with a high density of vegetation. The artificial floating is-lands will not only provide a small area of vegetation with various habitat and water quality benefits, but will also provide a long-lasting source of seed to the surrounding area that will germinate when conditions are conducive. The benefits of these additions include; increased complexity and diversity of habitat for fish and wildlife, decreased turbidity, siltation, and nutrient loading for improved water quality, and improve deep water refuge availability during summer stratification. This will provide increased densi-ty of priority game fishes and other desirable organisms for greater quality of experi-ences for anglers, hunters, ecotourists, and increase local business revenue for in-creased quality of life for all residents within the influence of the reservoir. The project will provide deliverables that include (depending on material donations): at least 180 Shelbyville cubes (14,400 ft3), at least 20 Georgia cubes (800 ft3), 120 artificial stumps (2,400 ft3), 450 ft2 of high density artificial floating islands, and 5,625 ft2 of shoreline planted in willow with exclosures. Success of the project will be gauged primarily by im-proved quality of the fishery, fish use of habitat structures, and secondarily by water quality improvements, bank stabilization, and reduced sedimentation.

• Excessive nutrients
• Algae blooms
• Siltation
• Mudflats/shallowness
• Limited connectivity
• Limited littoral structure
• Anomalous water regime
• Large water fluctuations

• Largemouth Bass
• White Crappie
• Black Crappie
• Bluegill
• Muskellunge
• Walleye
• Sauger
• See Attached for others

Excerpt from the USACE 2017 Master Plan:
“Lake Shelbyville is located in Shelby and Moultrie Counties of east-central Illinois. The dam site is located on the Kaskaskia River about one-half mile east of Shelbyville, Illinois. Much of the land in the Lake Shelbyville watershed is flat or gently sloping. However, the many small tributaries entering the river above the dam site have created ravines and val-leys to form a very irregular shoreline. Many coves, both large and small, can be found as a result.
The lake is confined by relatively abrupt slopes and has many timbered arms with 172 miles of shoreline. The abrupt slopes and the erodible soils have resulted in shoreline ero-sion impacting project facilities. The topography changes from a streambed elevation of about 535 feet NGVD to an elevation of 650 to 660 feet NGVD at the bordering uplands. Most of the valley slopes are covered with some virgin timber, but primarily second growth forest. The lake has a water surface area of 11,100 acres at joint-use pool elevation 599.7 feet NGVD. The pool at this elevation extends upstream from the dam approximately 20 miles and varies in width at this elevation from 0.25 to 1.0 mile. The depth of water from the valley floor at the dam to joint-use pool elevation is about 53 feet.
Shoreline erosion at Lake Shelbyville is caused by a combination of factors: fluctuating lake level, waves created by wind and boat actions, and the soil surrounding Lake Shel-byville being predominately glacial sandy clay with little resistance to erosion. Erosion was considered during project design to have minimal impact on pool storage in early years. However, because the last full sedimentation survey was conducted in 1984, there is no way of knowing exactly what that impact is today. The 1984 survey concluded that although the lake was estimated to lose 6.8% of its storage capacity in 50 years (by 2034), that rate of deposition was 2.5 times higher than original estimates. A sedimentation survey coupled with a revised shoreline erosion plan are needed to get a clearer picture of future needs.”
Due to the standard aging process, Lake Shelbyville (which has been impounded for 50+ years) has lost a significant portion of its’ woody habitat to natural forces. “Very little dead standing timber remains in coves as most have decayed over the last 40 years.” Long-duration floods, on occasion in excess of 12’, have further stranded woody habitat in up-lands resulting in addition habitat loss.
These floods have made conditions difficult for aquatic macrophytes to establish without help. This lack of habitat and associate erosion and reduced water quality are affecting the quality of the fishery significantly and efforts to replenish and develop habitat have not kept up with losses. Standard management practices help maintain the quality of the fishery, but the standard reduction in quality with reservoir age continues with rippling economic ef-fects throughout the community and region.
Dr. Gary Owen Dick, Research Ecologist, from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Re-search and Development Center (ERDC), Lewisville Aquatic Ecosystem Research Facility (LAERF) visited Lake Shelbyville in May 2013. He completed an evaluation of the aquatic plant community and general habitat and water quality of the lake and stated in his report: “The failure of native vegetation to establish naturally in the lake thus far is due to an ab-sence of propagules needed for colonization and abiotic (flood management, etc.) and bio-tic (herbivory, etc.) factors that limit establishment of the few propagules that may be in-troduced into the lake. This has resulted in a poorly developed natural resource.”
He further went on to state: “Lake Shelbyville qualifies as a Corps resource in need of an improved ecosystem to maximize its natural resource benefit potentials. Establishing sub-stantial native aquatic vegetation in the lake will meet this need by providing habitat neces-sary to sustain fisheries, in particular as cover for young-of-the-year centrarchids and other aquatic fauna dependent upon vegetation for habitat. In addition to cover for fish, aquatic and riparian vegetation would serve as substrate for aquatic invertebrate reproduction, for-aging, and predation protection. This will expand the existing food web and increase its en-ergy flow potential, which will in turn develop and support healthy fisheries. Other aquatic and semi-aquatic wildlife, including migratory waterfowl and wading birds, would also ben-efit from these trophic improvements. Additional benefits include reductions in shoreline erosion and turbidity.” These comments and the actions proposed by this grant parallel and support the goals of the RFHP (report included).
As mentioned in the narrative and table above, the goals of this project are to introduce long-lasting structural and biological habitat, inhibit shoreline erosion on highly eroded are-as, inhibit mobilization of sediment and nutrients, and maintain connectivity of coves to the main lake. The benefits expected include; increased complexity and diversity of habitat for fish and other wildlife, decreased turbidity, siltation, and nutrient loading for improved wa-ter quality, improve deep water refuge availability during summer stratification, to provide increased density of priority game fishes and other desirable organisms for greater quality of experiences for anglers, hunters, ecotourists, and increase local business revenue for increased quality of life for all residents within the influence of the reservoir.

Success of the project will be gauged primarily by improvements in the quality of the fishery, fish use of habitat structures, and secondarily by water quality improvements, bank stabilization, and reduced sedimentation.
Incidentally, the Illinois Natural History Survey’s Kaskaskia Biological Station, located immediately on Lake Shelbyville, is conducting a study on the use of the artificial habitat structures we have placed in the lake by various fish species. They are evaluating structures using standard electrofishing, deep-water electrofishing, and sonar (side-scan and Livescope sonar)Their evaluations will provide a wealth of information about best management prac-tices (BMPs) in designing and placing fish habitat structures for maximum results. They will also provide additional data to support changes in the fish population, invertebrate commu-nities, and basic water chemistry parameters through their various projects on the lake.
IDNR will annually conduct standardized fish population surveys and stocking success surveys each fall to evaluate changes in fish populations. Parameters easily measured dur-ing the time frame of this project include changes in density, size structure indices, and body condition. Species readily evaluated would include primarily largemouth bass, crappie, and muskellunge due to their relative ease of sampling and reliance on the physical and biological habitat being introduced. Goals of CPUE, size structure indices, and body condi-tion are listed in the management plan for the lake. Anecdotal evidence will also be collect-ed from the numerous fishing guides, tournament directors, and anglers who fish around these various habitat additions.

Success of the project will be gauged primarily by improvements in the quality of the fishery, fish use of habitat structures, and secondarily by water quality improvements, bank stabilization, and reduced sedimentation.
Incidentally, the Illinois Natural History Survey’s Kaskaskia Biological Station, located immediately on Lake Shelbyville, is conducting a study on the use of the artificial habitat structures we have placed in the lake by various fish species. They are evaluating structures using standard electrofishing, deep-water electrofishing, and sonar (side-scan and Livescope sonar)Their evaluations will provide a wealth of information about best management prac-tices (BMPs) in designing and placing fish habitat structures for maximum results. They will also provide additional data to support changes in the fish population, invertebrate commu-nities, and basic water chemistry parameters through their various projects on the lake.
IDNR will annually conduct standardized fish population surveys and stocking success surveys each fall to evaluate changes in fish populations. Parameters easily measured dur-ing the time frame of this project include changes in density, size structure indices, and body condition. Species readily evaluated would include primarily largemouth bass, crappie, and muskellunge due to their relative ease of sampling and reliance on the physical and biological habitat being introduced. Goals of CPUE, size structure indices, and body condi-tion are listed in the management plan for the lake. Anecdotal evidence will also be collect-ed from the numerous fishing guides, tournament directors, and anglers who fish around these various habitat additions.
Plantings will be monitored on a regular basis (monthly at minimum, more during the growing season). The artificial floating islands will be closely monitored (every 2 weeks minimum) to evaluate success and monitor for depredation. Willow plantings will be moni-tored the spring following their planting, and on a monthly basis during the growing season to monitor for survival, growth, and to monitor for depredation.
Measurements of water quality changes will be difficult to obtain on such a large and highly fluctuating reservoir. USACE monitors water quality parameters and those will be fol-lowed and evaluated. INHS will likely obtain water quality measurements in treatment ver-sus “control” coves.

• The Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance has an established Facebook page with fre-quent updates. The USACE has an established Facebook page and webpage in which we will post updates. The IDNR has two Facebook pages that will post updates. Local businesses, Chip’s Marine, Friends of Lake Shelbyville, and fishing clubs post updates on their Facebook pages and/or websites. We continue to provide information and encourage them to contin-ue to publicize our activities, include grant awards from the organizations mentioned above and others.
• We will arrange news conferences to announce major grants, and already utilize press releases distributed to a wide ranging list through the USACE to make announcements about this project and hold an annual “State of the Lake” in April, highlighting habitat pro-jects and partnerships. We have and will continue to make radio show appearances to pro-mote and update these efforts and contributors.
• Banners were placed at all major boat launches around the lake in 2021 to publicize the habitat project and to thank our partners, including FOR and RFHP.
• We have encouraged participation by anglers in habitat events by delaying the availabil-ity of new habitat maps online and only providing maps of new attractor locations to an-glers who help with a build.
• The utilization of a fish attractor “Placement Committee” made up of local anglers and guides promotes “buy-in” as input from some the most knowledgeable anglers on the lake help dictate the locations where habitat structures are placed. This committee is still being added to as opportunity permits.
• The LSFHA has held an Annual Fish Habitat Banquet with overwhelming success, raising over $20,000 at each event with 100% of profits going towards habitat improvement pro-jects.
• The LSFHA works with several area schools to promote participation by youth, including providing materials for students to build cubes themselves, and then participate in the sub-sequent placement of those cubes.
• LSFHA plans to continue discussions with Shelbyville High School to have their agricul-ture program (with a greenhouse) raise aquatic plants for shoreline and artificial vegetated island plantings. Plans were made to begin this program in 2020 but were derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic. We hope to get plan ironed out to possibly begin this program in Fall of 2021.

• 180 Shelbyville Cubes
• 20 Georgia Cubes
• 120 Artificial Stumps
• 6 Artificial Floating Islands
• 5,500 Square Feet of planted willow

The IDNR biologist is involved with every aspect of the project, including the planning, building, site selection, placement, and monitoring of structures and aquatic plantings.

• Letter-of-Support-FY22-RFHP-Large-Grant.docx
• LakeShelbyvilleMasterPlanUpdate2004.pdf

Item Cost/Unit # Units Total Cost
Shelbyville Cube $100 180 $18,000
Georgia Cube $100 20 $2,000
Artificial Stump $50 120 $6,000
Floating Plant Island $2,000 6 $12,000
Willow $600 12 $7,200
Plant Rearing Materials - - $4,800
Total $50,000
Budget Narrative
o Each Shelbyville Cube is 3.8'X3.8'X5' with most of the plastic field tile raised 20" above the substrate (see photo), constructed with 62’ - 1-1/2” PVC Pipe, 8 - 90o Side Outlet Elbows, 77’ - 4" Drain Tile, 9’ - 5" Drain Tile, 54” - 4' Snow fencing, 8 - Bricks, 16 lbs. - Gravel, 12 - 14", 120 lbs., Cable Ties. Cost per unit averages $100, depending on materials donated.
o Each Georgia Cube is 3.8’X3.8'X2.5' constructed with 40’ - 1-1/2” PVC Pipe, 8 - 90o Side Out-let Elbows, 77’ - 4" Drain Tile, 9’ - 5" Drain Tile, 8 - Bricks, 16 lbs. – Gravel. Cost per unit av-erages $100, depending on materials donated.
o Each artificial stump will consist of a 3’ section of 24” diameter culvert with concrete weight and held in place by filling the bottom with concrete. Simulated roots will be com-prised of 3” agricultural tile. 24” culvert is donated by a company that would otherwise be disposing of it, saving it from being tossed in a landfill. Cost of cement and 3” tile for stumps is $50.
o Each artificial floating island will consist of 30 ft2 of planting space. Each Floating Island costs approximately $2,000, which includes the island, materials for the anchoring system, exclosure fencing to reduce depredation, and plugs to plant the island with.
o Willow exclosures will consist of 100’ lengths of 14 gauge wire mesh - 4”X2” mesh ar-ranged in an oval shape. Exclosure will be held in place with 6.5’ pieces of 5/8” rebar driven into the substrate. Wire mesh will be attached with plastic cable ties. Wire mesh costs $180-$200 per 100’ roll. Rebar and cable ties are provided at no cost. Heavier gauge wire mesh is required on this lake due to fluctuating ice conditions. Willows will likely be pur-chased from a nursery, with potted trees costing approximately $50 per potted plant. We are also looking into the possibility of collecting our own willow cuttings to plant, which would decrease the cost of plants and increase the area that could be planted.
o Plant Rearing Materials would help cover the cost for local schools to raise plants for our artificial floating islands, willow plantings, and other aquatic vegetation plantings. Materials might include containers (pots and large tanks for aquatic plantings), soil, fertilizer, plant starts (for species that cannot be collected locally) and various tools that are needed to raise plants and plant them in Lake Shelbyville.
Budget Line Justification
• LSFHA – Admin/Technical Services: $2,283
Volunteer time (80 hr * $28.54) by executive board members and volunteers planning and scheduling meetings and structure builds, purchasing supplies, up-dating social media and outreach material, etc.
• LSFHA – Construction Materials: $11,700
Donated construction materials solicited by LSFHA, including 24” culvert pipe (if purchased would cost $90 per piece/stump * 120 stumps) and bricks donated by various sources (if purchased would cost $0.75 per brick * 1,200 bricks).
• LSFHA – Labor (volunteer): $39,956
Estimated volunteer hours for events such as habitat structure builds, structure placement days, placement committee meetings, executive committee meet-ings, outdoor expos and other outreach events, school events, and the annual banquet. (Adults 1,000 hr * $28.54; Youth 400 hr * $28.54).
• USACE – Labor (Paid): $16,776
Estimated value (699 hr * $24) of in-kind time spent by USACE staff on various projects related to Lake Shelbyville Habitat Restoration efforts including execu-tive meetings, placement meetings, habitat structure builds and placements, an-nual banquet, vegetation collection and planting, monitoring efforts, etc.
• IDNR – Labor (Paid): $3,600
Estimated value (150 hr * $24) of in-kind time spent by IDNR biologists on vari-ous projects related to Lake Shelbyville Habitat Restoration efforts including ex-ecutive meetings, placement meetings, habitat structure builds and placements, annual banquet, vegetation collection and planting, monitoring efforts, etc.