Kankakee River

Description

Kankakee River Nature Preserve comprises 135 acres in two separate tracts - an island in the Kankakee River, known as Langham or Altorf Island, and both sides of the river at the western most edge of Kankakee River State Park. The forested areas are representative of both the Grand Prairie Section and the Kankakee Sand Area Section of the Grand Prairie Natural Division. The upland forest to the south is characterized by white and black oak. A more mesic forest is present on the north facing slopes and terraces along the river. Here, red oak, basswood and sugar maple are present in the overstory, while the understory is rich in wildflowers and ferns. A bottomland forest of silver maple, cottonwood and green ash occurs along the river and on the island. The tract to the north of the river consists of rolling sand hills, and it supports a typical white oak-black oak community. This community grades into a more wet forest along the low river bluff. Seepages in this area support a bog-like community with skunk cabbage and angelica. Dolomite bedrock outcrops are also present and many uncommon plant species such as wild stonecrop and bulblet fern occur here.