Agencies
Services
Land and Water Reserve Area
7
County
Jersey
Location
The site is in southwestern Jersey County approximately 6 miles west of Grafton. It is in the southwestern part of the Pere Marquette State Park just north of the lodge and visitor’s center.
Description
McAdams Peak Land and Water Reserve contains a complex of high-quality loess hill prairies identified by the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory (INAI #0603). The site overlooks the Illinois River and contains an exceptional limestone cliff community and adjoins a forested hollow that is utilized heavily by wintering bald eagles. The natural communities consist of high-quality Grade B and C loess hill prairie and Grade A limestone cliff community surrounded by Grade C dry upland forest, dry-mesic upland forest, and mesic upland forest. The hill prairies are the largest hill prairie complex remaining in the Pere Marquette State Park. The significant feature is the Grade B loess hill prairie. Loess hill prairies are formed by a thick mantle of windblown soil which originated from the Illinois River floodplain called loess. As the glaciers receded, meltwater was left behind depositing rock, sand, and silt in the low-lying areas that was subsequently blown onto adjoining uplands over thousands of years. The loess hill prairies at McAdams Peak are dominated by little bluestem, side oats grama, and sky-blue aster. The limestone cliff community contains outstanding exposures of Ordovician to Mississippi Systems dominated by primarily Drummond’s goldenrod and prairie alumroot. The dry upland forest is characterized by black oak, yellow chestnut oak, and sweet pignut hickory; dry-mesic upland forest by white oak, yellow chestnut oak, and sugar maple; and lastly the mesic upland forest by sugar maple, red oak, and basswood.
Ownership
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Natural Division
Glaciated Section of the Middle Mississippi Border Natural Division (#8a)
Registered
October 2005
Size
260 acres
Access
The site is open to the public. It is located near the Pere Marquette State Park Visitor Center. Allowed activities include hiking and nature observation. There are foot trails which are maintained for public use.
Topographic Quad
Brussels
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
