2008 FEDERAL DUCK STAMP CONTEST Phone: 618-883-2524 |
Just across the Illinois River from Calhoun Division is Gilbert Lake Division. Gilbert Lake is in Jersey County, IL, just west of Grafton. Gilbert Lake totals 736 acres, consisting of a 250-acre lake bordered by brush, trees, and grassland.
A considerable amount of rehabilitation was done on Gilbert Lake following the floods of 1993 and 1995. Improvements included upgrading and repairing the service road which parallels the Illinois River, dredging silt from Gilbert Lake, and removing deposited silt from drainage ditches and desilting basins. Two large spillways were built into the service road to reduce erosion and allow for a gradual increase of water to the division during floods. Fish passage occurs over these spillways during high water events. The dredging has provided deeper water habitat for over wintering fish.
Not only is this division important to wildlife in the floodplain, but it also contains some important historical sites. One of these is the Duncan Farm Site which has been included on the National List of Historic Places, and is one of the many sites in the area containing a Native American mound.
Additionally important on this division is the federally threatened plant species, Boltonia decurrens, or decurrent false aster. The plant was thought to have been extirpated from the Gilbert Lake Division by the extended flood events of 1993 and 1995. However, studies showed a marked increase in the plant population following the disturbance by the floods.
Public use opportunities on Gilbert Lake include bank fishing, hiking, photography, and wildlife and bird observation. Hunting is not allowed on the Gilbert Lake Division. Hundreds of federally threatened bald eagles use the area quite extensively during the winter with excellent viewing opportunities from Illinois State Highway 100. The Alton (Illinois) Convention and Visitor's Bureau (1-800-ALTON-IL) and Pere Marquette State Park conduct tours around the area for eagle viewing. Gilbert Lake is closed annually (except for the overlook road) from October 15 - December 31 to provide an undisturbed sanctuary area for waterfowl and other migratory birds.
The Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair, sponsored by the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources takes place annually at the nearby Pere Marquette State Park and has been a huge success in the local community.
Regulations
Downloads
Evaluation of Ecosystem Restoration and Management Options for the Calhoun and Gilbert Lake Divisions:
Download report (7.5 MB pdf format)
Color Cover for report (517k pdf format)
Report Appendix A (1.2 MB pdf format)
