Agencies
Services
Land and Water Reserve Area
5
County
Mason
Location
The site is in south-west Mason County, roughly 2.5 miles southwest of the town of Snicarte and 7.5 miles due east of the headquarters of Sanganois State Consecration Area within Lynchburg Township.
Description
Barkhausen Woods Land and Water Reserve contains high-quality Grade A dry sand forest recognized by the Barkhausen Woods Illinois Natural Area Inventory (INAI #0362) site. It is one of only a few identified high-quality dry sand forests within the Illinois River and Mississippi River Sand Areas Natural Division. A total of 26 woody species are present, including 3 canopy trees (black oak, black hickory, and blackjack oak), 14 understory trees, 9 shrubs and vines, and several rare plant species unique to the region. Canopy dominance and stand structure are indicative of pre-European settlement closed canopy forest conditions. Other habitats present are Grade C sand prairie vegetation with a high potential for restoration and pine plantation that buffers the high-quality natural areas.
Ownership
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Natural Division
Illinois River Section of the Illinois River and Mississippi River Sand Areas Natural Division (#6a)
Registered
August 2001
Size
128 acres
Access
The site is open to the public.
Topographic Quad
Clear Lake
For Further Information
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702
217-785-8686
DNR.INPC@illinois.gov