Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge
Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge | |
---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
Map of the United States | |
Location | Fulton County, Illinois, United States |
Nearest city | Havana, Illinois |
Coordinates | 40°19′30″N 90°05′30″W / 40.32500°N 90.09167°W |
Area | 11,122 acres (45.01 km2) |
Established | 1993 |
Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
Website | Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge |
Official name | The Emiquon Complex |
Designated | 2 February 2012 |
Reference no. | 2031[1] |
The Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge is a 11,122-acre (45.01 km2)
Most of the wildlife refuge is made up of reclaimed agricultural land. A 7,100-acre (29 km2) reclamation project within the Refuge, the Emiquon Project, is operated by
In February 2012, the Emiquon Complex, centering on the Emiquon NWR, was designated under the Ramsar Convention as a Wetland of International Importance.
History
The Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge and the Emiquon Project cover the historic beds of Flag Lake and Thompson Lake, which were shallow, alluvial lakes created by the Illinois River during the geological period that followed the last ice age. Heavy loads of sand and silt carried southwest by the river created almost random, undulating topography along the river's bed. The river responded to these deposits by repeatedly shifting its course, leaving long, narrow sections of abandoned riverbed behind it. Two of these sections became Flag Lake and Thompson Lake.[citation needed]
Surrounding these two lakes, and strung out along the western bank of the Illinois River, was a characteristic North American riverine
When new Americans of European ancestry began living along the Illinois River in the late 17th century, they brought several wetland diseases with them, notably malaria. Local Indian populations declined, and the settlers tried not to live in or near wetlands, believing them to be unhealthy places to live. When Fulton County was organized in 1823, the settlers selected a blufftop location several miles away as the county seat.[citation needed]
A population of local Illinois River settlers thinly settled the Emiquon riverbank, which was too wet for traditional European-style farming. The region continued to yield a living to
Restoration project
Throughout the 20th century, alterations to the Illinois riverbed caused severe damage to the ecological diversity and fish productivity of the river. Beginning in the 1960s,
By 2008, volunteers working with the Nature Conservancy had replanted 300,000
As part of the restoration efforts, drainage pumps were turned off and one of the natural lake beds within the Project, Thompson Lake, began to refill. As of 2008, Thompson Lake was a 2,000-acre (8.1 km2) lake within the Project. This compares to the lake's original size of 1,800-acre (7.3 km2) when it was a natural lake. The reborn lake and adjacent wetlands were attractive to waterbirds, with 17 separate species of ducks reported.[3]
As of 2009, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's long-range master plan for the Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge including acquiring the Emiquon Project's land, building out the refuge's 11,122-acre (45.01 km2) footprint, and enrolling the new Refuge into the Illinois River National Wildlife Refuge Complex, managed from the Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge's headquarters in Havana.[2]
In 2017, the land was drained after being wet for 10 years to simulate a drought.[7] Wetlands benefit from dry periods to compact soil and help plants grow, and birds benefit from catching fish in smaller pools.[7]
Current resources
The Conservancy's long-range master plan for the Emiquon Project, meanwhile, included restoration of the parcel's natural drainage patterns to the maximum extent possible, including reconstruction of a free-flowing connection between the Illinois River and Thompson Lake. As of 2008, the refilled lakes were stocked with more than 30 species of fish, including largemouth bass, bluegill, bullhead, channel catfish, crappie, and sunfish. Several dozen fish-eating black-crowned night herons had also arrived.[3][8]
In addition to game fish, heritage fish were also planted in Flag Lake and Thompson Lake, such as the state-endangered
As of 2024, there are over 287 native species that make their home in Emiquon.[5] Emiquon also has challenges with invasive species such as Asian carp and mute swans.[5] Thousands of migratory birds pass through the site each year.[5][9][10]
The Conservancy also planned to construct welcome facilities to encourage
In April 2008, the
Illinois Route 78 and Illinois Route 97 run through the Emiquon Project. The state highways run concurrently in the Project region.[citation needed]
The Emiquon Preserve visitor area is open year-round from sunrise to sunset.[9] There are over 2 miles of trails and two observation decks for viewing wildlife.[9]
References
- ^ "The Emiquon Complex". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ a b "Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge". United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 2009-03-07.
- ^ a b c d Browning, Laura M. (December 2008). "A Floodplain is Reborn". Outdoor Illinois.
- ^ Rothert, Brenda (2007-05-06). "Emiquon's rebirth begins: Nature Conservancy planting 260,000 trees at preserve near Lewistown". Peoria Journal Star.
- ^ a b c d Cutinello, Camryn (2024-04-15). "Federal repeal of wetland protections shines light on Emiquon Nature Preserve". WCBU Peoria. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
- ^ Young, Chris (2007-05-29). "Emiquon Preserve Revival: Floodplain project begins to reap results from efforts". State Journal-Register. p. 17.
- ^ a b Renken, Leslie (2017-10-07). "New gates at Emiquon further science of floodplain restoration". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
- ^ a b Thomas, Trent; Hilsabeck, Rob (August 2009). "Restoration of the Emiquon Fish Population". Outdoor Illinois. pp. 5–7.
- ^ a b c Sobota, Lenore (2021-01-03). "Central Illinois' Emiquon Preserve, near Havana, attracts migrating waterfowl". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
- ^ Renken, Leslie (2016-06-10). "Birders and nature lovers can't resist returning to Emiquon to see the rare and magnificent". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
- ^ Young, Chris (2008-04-26). "UIS opens field station at Emiquon". State Journal-Register.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
External links
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Nature Conservancy Archived 2006-12-20 at the Wayback Machine