Meredosia NWR is located along the east side of the Illinois River in Cass and Morgan Counties about 50 miles west of Springfield, IL. About 2,372 acres remain to be acquired from 18 landowners. When complete, the refuge will total 5,255 acres. It is located in the upper end of the Alton Navigation Pool in an area that was historically known for its ability to sustain fish and wildlife. Land management programs are designed and administered to promote migratory bird, fish and resident wildlife habitat in the Illinois River basin, while providing for increased public recreation and educational opportunities. When acquisition is complete, the refuge will include a combination of high quality backwater lake, bottomland forest, upland forest, prairie, seasonal wetland and permanent marsh habitat for migratory birds, fish and resident wildlife. As a functioning floodplain wetland complex, the refuge will play a vital role in perpetuating biological diversity in the Illinois River basin.
Visitor Opportunities
The Island portion of the refuge is open sunrise to sunset January 15 through October 15 each year. The remaining areas are open from sunrise to sunset year-round.
There are two accessible hiking trails at Meredosia: the 1/4-mile-long Dawson Prairie trail and the 1/2-mile-long Skinner Wetland trail. Both trails have parking areas and picnic facilities. Plans to construct a boat ramp in 1998 will provide access to the 1,485-acre Meredosia Lake.
Management Programs
Meredosia Refuge is managed to mimic the historic flood cycle of the Illinois River. The Illinois River is one of the few remaining large river systems worldwide that still retains its floodpulse. Water level management is the primary tool to promote the natural processes associated with this floodpulse including seasonal water level manipulations and flood control.
Directions and Additional Information
Meredosia Refuge is located immediately north of the Village of Meredosia, Illinois, along the Illinois River in Cass and Morgan Counties. Follow Beach Road north from town for a scenic view of Meredosia Lake and Meredosia Refuge.
Meredosia NWR
c/o Illinois River Nat'l Wildlife & Fish Refuges
19031 E County Road 2105N
Havana, IL 62644
Phone (309) 535-2290
Fax (309) 535-3023
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