Agencies
Services
Land and Water Reserve Area
7
County
Washington
Location
The site is approximately 1-mile south of the Kaskaskia River, 3 miles northwest of Okawville, and 4 miles northeast of Venedy. It lies within the Kaskaskia Bottoms Resource Rich Area, the Kaskaskia/Shoal Creek Ecosystem Partnership Area, and the large, forested corridor that is associated with the unchannelized portion of the Kaskaskia River.
Description
Sipple Slough Woods Land and Water Reserve is a high-quality natural area within the larger Sipple Slough Woods Illinois Natural Area Inventory site (INAI #0866) that contains Grade B southern flatwoods and a shrub-swamp/pond community. This site is a high-quality example of a southern flatwoods natural community. Southern flatwoods, also commonly known as post oak flatwoods for its dominant species, is considered one of the most endangered natural communities in the Midwest. Only twenty high-quality sites totaling approximately 650 acres remain in Illinois, and few sites are protected. The community on the reserve retains a diversity of open community, sun-loving plants that are more typical of prairie situations. These scattered pockets of prairie are relatively uncommon features in southern flatwoods. Species present include prairie blazing star, wild quinine, and white wild indigo. The flatwoods also contain a variety of sedges. The site is additionally part of the 7,000 acres area recognized as Illinois’ largest contiguous forested tract.
Ownership
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Natural Division
Effingham Plain Section of the Southern Till Plain Natural Division (#9a)
Registered
May 2003
Size
40 acres
Access
The site is not open to the public.
Topographic Quad
Okawville
For Further Information
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702
217-785-8686
DNR.INPC@illinois.gov