A close up of the Middle Fork on Wolf Road Prairie buffer showing erosion due to channelization and rapid run off during storm events. Click image for larger version and photo data       Background 2: Channelization Channelization is causing erosion, siltation, turbidity, and loss of riparian vegetation, which, in turn, has lead to degraded water quality and loss of native species. The Middle Fork was channelized to facilitate rapid drainage during the 1920s when land near by the project location was farmed. In the 1950s, the Hinsdale/Sexton Landfill began operation immediately west of the project location and retrenched the streambed to alleviate flooding. This trenching further increased runoff velocity in the channelized stream, and thus further contributes to water quality and ecological habitat degradation in the Wolf Road Prairie Nature Preserve. Advance to Background 3: Urbanization