Agencies
Services
Land and Water Reserve Area
6
County
Coles
Location
The site is in southeastern Coles County, 3 miles south of Charleston, within the Fox Ridge State Park and the Embarras River Resource Rich Area.
Description
Embarras River Land and Water Reserve is one of the largest forested blocks remaining along the Embarras River. The river is characterized by a sand and gravel substrate with well-developed riffle-pool-run segments and numerous sand and gravel bars. It is recognized as a Biologically Significant Stream and rated a Class B - Highly Valued Aquatic Resource. The reserve is recognized by the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory (INAI #0950) as a high-quality aquatic community and endangered species habitat. It supports currently listed and recently delisted species, as well as forest interior birds and an exceptionally high mussel diversity. The 2.5 miles of the Embarras River through the reserve support 15 species of freshwater mussels; an exceptionally high diversity that represents 25% of all species that occur in the state. Protecting these natural areas provides a haven for many species that are sensitive to the negative effects of continual change and degradation of landscapes. In addition to providing habitat for species, the reserve also protects natural communities including dry-mesic and mesic upland forest, mesic and wet-mesic floodplain forest, medium gradient river, and successional fields.
Ownership
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Natural Division
Grand Prairie Section of the Grand Prairie Natural Division (#4a)
Registered
August 1999
Size
980 acres
Access
The site can be accessed by entering the main entrance of Fox Ridge State Park and following the signage past the lake. There are multiple parking areas. A multi-use trail has been established that connects City of Charleston properties, Grand Prairie Friends properties, and Fox Ridge State Park, providing an excellent opportunity for visitors to access many sites along the Embarras River. The trail is for hiking, but it can be used as a bike trail as well. Hunting, fishing, and canoeing are allowed, with a canoe access found on the Embarras River within the Land and Water Reserve.
Topographic Quad
Charleston South
For Further Information
Visit the State Park Website or Contact the INPC
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702
217-785-8686
DNR.INPC@illinois.gov