Natural and Beneficial Functions

Floodplains play a valuable role in providing natural and beneficial functions to the area around, and including, Carpentersville. Floodplains that are relatively undisturbed provide a wide range of benefits to both the human and natural systems. These benefits provide aesthetic pleasure as well as function to provide active processes such as filtering nutrients. Carpenter Creek and Four Winds Way Creek are used as a means to filter lawn fertilizer run-off so that these areas can maintain bio-diversity and ecosystem sustainability. Both floodplains contain historic and archeological sites that provide opportunity for education and study. Both enhance waterfowl, fish and other wildlife habitats and provide feeding/breeding grounds. And lastly, both floodplains provide natural erosion control and open space so further flooding damage does not occur.