Vitae

Lake, stream, and drainage consultant for over 15 years

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Brian Valleskey

Certified Lake Professional (CLP)

Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM)

This Vitae has been provided not as a means to boast about my work experience but more to demonstrate my general competency in the subject and furthermore demonstrate the breadth of projects that may take place in the world of lakes, streams and overall natural resources. There are still an number of ancillary projects such as dam inspections, dam documentation, project specific permitting services, and land protection easements. Locally I work for Geosyntec Consultants, assisting with water resources projects in Wisconsin and NE Illinois. For more information feel free to visit our firm website. This is a lakes-based independent webpage developed by me to support the science and understanding of how to get things accomplished.

Lake Projects

Don Jean Bay & Country Club Drive Technical Assessment Lauderdale Lakes Lake Management District (LLLMD), Elkhorn, WI (2020). Assisted District staff in reviewing in-person inspection and assessment of a previous shoreline restoration project located in Don Jean Bay of the Lauderdale Lakes Chain O’ Lakes. The inspection and assessment was later used to draft a technical brief of the condition of the shoreline. District staff was further assisted in the inspection and assessment of Country Club Drive adjacent to the Lauderdale Lake Country Club (Golf Course) to consider alternatives for sediment loading occurring at a number of drainage conveyance structures. The review was used to draft a technical brief to assist the LLLMD in discussions with WDNR and other local entities in seeking cost share assistance in potential remedies to minimize sediment delivery to the lake.

Delavan Highlands Conceptual Shoreline Stabilization Plan Lake Delavan Highland Association, Delavan, WI (2020) Reviewed a number of potential stabilization measures for 700 feet off failing inlet shoreline on behalf of the Association. Upon agreement of recommendation, provided conceptual engineering drawings and cost estimates for the association to consider for funding. Provided a technical assessment document summarizing all components, including expected timelines, anticipated permitting, and construction challenges.

Lake Aldo Leopold Phased Silt Recovery Project Prairie Crossing Homeowners Association (PCHOA), Grayslake, IL (2020). Community is unique and renowned regionally as the model example for conservation subdivision design.  Sediment testing has yielded unique low-phosphorus readings and is ideal for local land application.  The project is in phase 1 permitting.

Lake Zurich Project Reviews Village of Lake Zurich, IL (2013-2019). Provided the Village of Lake Zurich primary assistance on natural resources development reviews, specifically those adjacent to Lake Zurich (Lake). Work ensured that shoreline development followed appropriate permitting and design procedures set forth by Lake County Watershed Development Ordinance (WDO) protocols, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) wetland procedures and applicable soil erosion and sediment control (SESC) standards.

Lake Eleanor Silt Removal Project Lake Eleanor Association, Deerfield, IL (2019). Coordinating partnerships with multiple municipalities and agencies in conjunction with the Lake Eleanor Association (LEA) to facilitate silt removal from private property onto public property.  Developed conceptual dredging layout for 32,000 cubic yards of material from Lake Eleanor onto Lake County Forest Preserve District (LCFPD) property coordinating approvals from the Union Drainage District (UDD), US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the Village of Bannockburn.  The project is in the process of receiving approval from the LCFPD.  

Fox Chain O’ Lakes Watershed Based Plan Fox Waterway Agency, Fox Lake, IL (2018). Developed stakeholder pay-in prioritization plan for workgroup and traditional watershed-based planning effort.  Assisted Fox Waterway Agency (FWA) through the formation of a watershed discovery panel to propose a multiyear watershed planning to the FWA Board of Directors.  Prep work for Section 319 grant and section 604b grant and GIS analysis to support pay-in decision making.  

Lake Zurich Shoreline Stabilization Village of Lake Zurich, Lake Zurich, Illinois (2017).
Coordinated design, permitting, and construction for 325 feet of shoreline within the Village of Lake Zurich’s showcase recreational area, Paulus Park.  Turned around work within a short window of time due to rapid encroachment to a frequently used asphalt trail near the southern lake shoreline.  Important work features included an in-lake barrier to protect against sediment migration to potential fish habitat and spawning grounds.  Work was completed in 2017.  

Sterlingworth Bay Shoreline Restoration Lauderdale Lakes Lake Management District (LLLMD), Elkhorn, WI (2016) Completed restoration plans for 300 feet of degraded shoreline within the Sterlingworth Bay of the Lauderdale Lakes chain.  The plan restored standard turf grass with a combination of wave protection hard armor and native vegetation.  Coordinated permitting through Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Walworth County Land Use Department.  Final project completion was in 2015.  

Lake Aldo Leopold Northern Bay Restoration Prairie Crossing Homeowners Association (PCHOA), Grayslake, IL (2016). Completed design engineering and permitting for the revitalization of 900 feet of degraded shoreline identified in the northern bay of Lake Aldo Leopold, a heralded local lake which exhibits high water quality standards and serves as a state threatened and endangered species hatchery.  Due to these achievements, lake improvement projects receive additional considerations and protections during permitting and design, such as dewatering, pumping, and materials used.  Project construction was completed in 2017.   

 Paulus Park Beach Improvements Village of Lake Zurich, Lake Zurich, IL (2016). Applied for and was awarded a Watershed Management Board (WMB) grant from the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission to address non-point source pollution effects from a degraded Village Beach.  The project specifically targeted phosphorus and fecal coliform in the form of goose control.  The money was used to remove an existing asphalt path and replace with a completely pervious alternative and install goose abatement lighting.  The project was completed in 2017.   

Greater Pistakee Lake Watershed Partnership Fox Waterway Agency (FWA), Fox Lake, IL (2016). Obtained on behalf of the FWA a Watershed Management Assistance Grant (WMAG) from the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) to assist in the capacity building of a watershed management group to support initiatives around the Fox River Chain O’ Lakes region.

Lily Lake Shoreline and Aquatic Evaluation Village of Lakemoor, IL (2015). Completed an analytical investigation of the Lily Lake shoreline and near-shore in water aquatic habitat.  Lily Lake is an 85-acre glacial lake impacted by direct runoff from IL State Highway 120.  The assessment reviewed direct runoff and storm drain inputs to recommend shoreline treatment options and BMPs that could be installed to  disconnect impervious surfaces from the lake while stabilizing and reducing the impact of wave action.  The final written evaluation was completed in 2015.  

Municipal Dam Grant Application Lauderdale Lakes Lake Management District, Elkhorn, WI (2015). Submitted for and obtained a municipal dam grant for the safety modification of the primary outlet on Mill Lake on behalf of the Lake Management District.    Funds for which will be used to partially demolish a portion of the dam’s spillway apron and sluice.  Obtained grant in 2016.  Project is currently under construction.  Work will result in follow up inspection work upon completion of construction.  

Average Annual Sediment Loading for Bangs and Slocum Lakes 4 Lakes Watershed Initiative, Lake & McHenry Counties, IL (2012). Utilizing the Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment (L-THIA) Model, analyzed the average annual loading of the Bangs and Slocum Lake watersheds for Total solids, phosphorus, nitrogen, and various heavy metals.  The analysis and subsequent report were developed as part of a grant funding for green watershed initiatives within the 4 Lakes Watershed Planning area.  The 4 Lakes Watershed Planning area was the precursor to what now is the 9 Lakes Watershed-Based Plan.  The results of the plan have identified regional BMPs to be placed throughout the watershed to reduce the impact of development.  The project draft was completed in 2012.  

4 Lakes Watershed Initiative Capacity Building 4 Lakes Watershed Initiative, Lake & McHenry Counties, IL (2012). Obtained a Watershed Management Assistance Grant (WMAG) from the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) to assist in the capacity building of a localized watershed group tributary to the IL Fox River. The group consisted of representative lake members from Slocum Lake, Bangs Lake, Island Lake, Lake Griswold, and Tower Lakes Drain. The group would later be turned over to the Chicago Metropolitan Aency for Planning (CMAP) who further integrated the membership in the 9 Lakes Watershed-Based Plan.

Stream Projects

Moses Creek Daylighting University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (UWSP), Stevens Point, Wisconsin (2019). Developed conceptual layout and design of “daylighted” creek corridor through the campus of University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point (UWSP) utilizing information obtained from the City of Stevens Point, historical imagery and USGS quadrangle maps.  The project proposes the removal of 4,000 feet of a 6-foot arch culvert pipe and reestablishing a nativized creek channel through campus.  Coordinated contacts with alumni from the UWSP College of Natural Resources (CNR), faculty, and administration to champion the project for visioning and future funding consideration.

Ginger Creek Dam Removal Oak Brook Park District, Oak Brook, IL (2019). Provided hydraulic simulation, permitting assistance, and design support for the removal of a low-head dam on Ginger Creek and the replacement of the structure with cross vane fish structures.  Permitting assistance was required to accommodate State of IL dam removal procedures as necessary through the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources (IDNR-OWR).  Additional elements included the application and acquisition of a DuPage County Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) Grant to assist in funding the project on behalf of the Oak Brook Park District (OBPD).  The project recently completed construction and is under final approval by the Village of Oak Brook. 

Kildeer Creek Restoration Village of Lake Zurich, Lake Zurich, IL (2019). Development of preliminary and final design plans, hydraulic assessment, permitting strategy, and grant application for 1,900 lineal feet of Kildeer Creek in Lake County, IL.  Work effort includes numerous stakeholder progress and educational meetings facilitated through the Village of Lake Zurich to understand the process, timing, expectations, and scope of work to be completed.  The project is in the final design phase and undergoing agency review.  Applied for and was awarded with a grant through the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission Watershed Management Board (WMB) program.    

North Flint Creek Joint Creek Restoration Village of North Barrington & Village of Lake Zurich, North Barrington/Lake Zurich, IL (2018). The Flint Creek Watershed Plan (updated 2018) identified a 2 mile stretch of stream originating in Lake Zurich, IL and terminating in North Barrington, IL as needing restoration.  The project was recognized as one of several projects within the watershed needed to improve sediment loading conditions in the latest updated version of the EPA approved 9-element watershed plan.  Negotiated a joint project plan structure between the two Villages and proposed funding strategies, including the targeting of potential grants.  The project is currently under preliminary design. 

Buffalo Creek Restoration Village of Buffalo Gove, Buffalo Grove, IL (2018). Worked as part of a design team to acquire funding, provide restoration design, and obtain permitting for a half mile reach of Buffalo Creek beneath the Buffalo Creek Flood Control Reservoir.  The creek segment, long impacted by the altered hydrograph of the reservoir, experiences periods of elevated baseflow resulting in sheered embankments and heavily scoured meanders.  The final design removed excessive overgrowth, inserted necessary toe armoring, flow correction structures, and fish habitat structures.  The project was made possible through the acquisition of an EPA Section 319 grant.

Diamond Lake Drain Stabilization Pizzo & Associates, Long Grove, IL (2015). Developed engineering design drawings and provided permitting support to stabilize approximately 300 feet of Diamond Lake Drain flowing through the Ravenna Subdivision in Long Grove. Stabilization design included embankment stabilization treatment measures and the design of grade control structures within Diamond Lake Drain. Designs assisted in the reduction of eroding stream banks and reestablishment of habitat.

Flint Creek Stream Restoration  Village of North Barrington, IL (2012). Served as the project lead in obtaining the required permits to perform over 1,500 linear feet of stream restoration of the Flint Creek headwaters and assisted with establishing appropriate stream measures to stabilize turns and meanders, minimize soil erosion, and reestablish the vegetation with native species.  Portions of the work included establishing appropriate vegetation for seasonal high water and baseflow conditions.  Final project sign-off by IL EPA was in 2013 as part of a completed 319 program project.  

Bangs Lake Drain Stabilization Ramco-Gershensen (Private Property Manager), Wauconda, IL (2012). In the effort to save a stream from significant bank failure, moved the creek corridor 15-20 feet laterally within a confined easement and reestablished the bed, banks and necessary overland floodplain storage to sufficiently complete and permit the project.  To this day, this 300-foot section of Bangs Lake Drain is the only nativized section of creek along its entirety.  The project received final sign-off approval from US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in 2013.   

Other Projects

College Subdivision Drainage Analysis and Improvements Barrington Township, Unincorporated Barrington, IL (2018). Utilizing EPA SWMM, developed a baseline model to simulate neighborhood flooding to observed watermarks.  Calibrating the model to watermarks using local rain gauge data, multiple improvement scenarios were developed.  The model results were used to obtain funding through Cook County.  The chosen improvement scenario was engineered and permitted in 2018 with construction recently completed in 2019.  Participated in multiple neighborhood stakeholder meetings at the request of the Barrington Township Board of Directors to address concerns and clarify construction expectations.

Cedar Creek Regional Flood Study Village of Lake Zurich, Lake Zurich, IL (2014). Developed a regional flood model for the Cedar Creek area of Lake Zurich to assist in the management of persistent residential flooding from a 300 acre mixed residential-industrial watershed.  The model utilized multiple year rain gauge data and surveyed watermarks to create a Green & Ampt simulation by calibrating digital GIS soils databases.  The model was used to develop multiple improvement scenarios, incremental to full scale, and ROI simulation for potential FEMA buyouts.  Incremental improvement recommendations have been employed with no impact to the previous blighted area for the last 6 years.  Work included multiple presentations to the Village Board and neighborhood stakeholders.  

Center Creek Hydraulic Analysis in Support of a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) City of Kenosha, Kenosha, WI (2014). Worked with City Staff to correct a significant mapping discrepancy in western Kenosha via a Primary Map Revision (PMR).  The City of Kenosha had inadvertently misinterpreted communication by FEMA which resulted in numerous homes being mapped within regulatory floodplain and floodway causing a chain reaction in mortgage related issues and homeowner anxiety.  Served as the key liaison and hydraulic modeler for the project to correct the modeling gaps and revised the mapping errors to modify the effective maps on behalf of the City.  Key coordination was needed between WDNR staff and SEWRPC to complete the effort.  The project was completed in 2014.