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Significant portions of the Mackinaw River and some of its tributaries are considered outstanding aquatic resources in Illinois. The Mackinaw River is characterized by a series of pools and fast riffles flowing over predominantly sand and gravel substrate and by banks which are largely forested. Water quality is high and mussel populations are diverse. Heartleaf plantain, and endangered plant in Illinois, is found here. This species occurs in gravelly streambeds and groundwater seeps and springs adjacent to streams. |
SIZE: 125,008 acres; 195 square miles
LOCATION: Central Illinois; Livingston, McLean, Tazewell, and Woodford counties
The most significant feature of this RRA is the Mackinaw River and its tributary, Panther Creek. The waters flow clear in a series of pools and riffles over a sand-gravel-silt substrate. The banks are generally forested and the surrounding area is agricultural.
LANDCOVER : Cropland is the predominant landcover (66% of the
area); this site has the fourth largest percentage of cropland of the RRAs.
The rankings for percentage of upland woods, nonforested wetlands, bottomland
woods, and Natural Areas acreage are relatively low.
NATURAL AREAS: There are four Natural Areas in this RRA. The two largest sites are a wooded tract along the river and the Mackinaw River itself. Two small sites include a hill prairie and a geological area.
BIOLOGICALLY SIGNIFICANT STREAMS : Three stream segments totalling 27 miles are designated as BSS streams in this RRA, including a 16 mile portion of the Mackinaw River and 8.5 miles of Panther Creek.
HERITAGE SITES : Seven Heritage sites occur in the RRA. One significant community, two plant species, and one animal species are recognized.
STATE AND FEDERAL LAND : The Mackinaw River Fish and Wildlife Area is the only state land. There is no federal land within this RRA.
NATURE PRESERVES : Two Nature Preserves are located in the RRA. Parklands Nature Preserve was established to protect a species of aquatic vegetation in the Mackinaw River and its surrounding forest. Mehl's Bluff is a diverse site of upland and bottomland forest, seep, and creek communities located on a bluff of the Mackinaw River.
NATURAL DIVISIONS : The Mackinaw River RRA lies within the Grand Prairie Division.
| Total Acreage |
125,008 |
| Natural Areas | |
|
Acreage |
1,139 |
|
Number |
4 |
| Biologically Significant Stream Mileage | 26.9 |
| Natural Heritage Sites | 7 |
| State Land | |
|
State Parks |
0 |
|
State Conservation Areas |
0 |
|
State Forests |
0 |
|
State Fish & Wildlife Areas |
1 |
|
Acreage |
1,397 |
|
Percentage of RRA |
1.1 |
| Federal Land | |
|
Acreage |
0 |
|
Percentage of RRA |
0.0 |
| LANDCOVER |
Acres |
% of RRA |
| Upland forest | 12,641.40 | 10.11 |
| Bottomland forest | 1,924.99 | 1.54 |
| Wetland- nonforested | 253.29 | 0.20 |
| Grassland | 24,501.65 | 19.60 |
| Cropland | 82,789.90 | 66.23 |
| Urban/Built-up | 1,672.10 | 1.34 |
| Water | 1,228.53 | 0.98 |
| Total | 125,011.86 | 100.00 |
| ILLINOIS NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY SITES |
Acres |
| Danvers Geological Area | 2 |
| Log Cabin Hill Prairie | 7 |
| Mackinaw River | 484 |
| Parklands Site | 645 |
| BIOLOGICALLY SIGNIFICANT STREAMS |
Miles |
| Mackinaw River, Alloway Creek to Mclean Co. line | 15.8 |
| Panther Creek, Rte 24 to Mackinaw River | 8.5 |
| unnamed, Mackinaw Twp, Tazewell County | 2.6 |
| NATURAL HERITAGE CATEGORIES | ||
| Communities |
Occurrences |
Types/Species |
|
Prairie |
1 | 1 |
| Threatened and Endangered Animals | ||
|
Bird |
1 | 1 |
| Threatened and Endangered Plants | ||
|
Plant-Dicot |
2 | 1 |
|
Plant-Monocot |
1 | 1 |
| Geological Feature | ||
|
Geological Feature |
2 | 1 |
| STATE AND FEDERAL LAND |
Acres |
| State Parks | 0 |
| State Conservation Areas | 0 |
| State Forests | 0 |
| State Fish and Wildlife Areas | |
|
Mackinaw River |
1,397 |
| Federal Land | 0 |
| ILLINOIS NATURE PRESERVES |
Acres |
| Mehl's Bluff | 27 |
| Parklands | 40 |
| NATURAL DIVISIONS |
Acres in RRA |
% of RRA |
% of Division |
| Grand Prairie | 125,009 | 100.0 | 1.0 |