Agencies
Services
Land and Water Reserve Area
5
County
McLean
Location
The site is located within Money Creek Township and Gridley Township in a rural part of McLean County, about 12 miles northeast of Bloomington-Normal. It shares a northwest boundary with Merwin Savanna Nature Preserve.
Description
Mackinaw River Land and Water Reserve enhances the protection of a 1.9-mile segment of the Mackinaw River. The Mackinaw River is a high-quality medium-gradient river recognized by the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory (INAI #0788) that is an outstanding example of the Illinois Drainage system. The topography of the reserve is complex ranging from very steep bluffs above the Mackinaw River to somewhat flat adjacent bottomlands. The natural communities consist of upland and bottomlands forest, pasture-grassland in succussion, and tallgrass prairie restoration. The site hosts 78 bird species and 16 mussel species, both including state-threatened species.
Ownership
ParkLands Foundation
Natural Division
Grand Prairie Section of the Grand Prairie Natural Division (#4a)
Registered
February 2007
Size
639 acres
Access
The site is open to the public. The two main entrances are along the Keller Highway at the South Gate and at Henline Gate parking lot.
Topographic Quad
Lexington & Gridley
For Further Information
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702
217-785-8686
DNR.INPC@illinois.gov