Dixon Waterfowl Refuge facts for kids

The Sue and Wes Dixon Waterfowl Refuge is a large 3,100-acre wetland located near the Illinois River in Putnam County, Illinois. It's just south of Hennepin. This special area used to be two lakes called Hennepin Lake and Hopper Lake. Today, it's a restored wetland that is recognized as a Ramsar Site, which means it's a very important wetland around the world.

How the Refuge Was Formed

From Wild Wetlands to Farmland

Long ago, the Illinois River area was full of shallow lakes and wetlands. The river flowed slowly through many small channels. This natural area was rich with fish, shellfish, birds, and animal furs. Native Americans and early pioneers used these resources. The Hennepin area was so rich that a company called the American Fur Company had a fur-trading post there in the 1810s.

In the early 1900s, new machines like the steam shovel made it possible to change these wetlands. People wanted to use the land for farming. In 1908, local landowners created the Hennepin Drainage and Levee District. They borrowed money to build walls (levees), dig ditches, and install drainage pipes. They also used pumps to remove water. Soon, the wet, muddy land became dry farmland.

Returning to Nature

By the end of the 1900s, farming this land became difficult. It cost a lot to keep the levees working and to pump out water. In 2000, eight farm families decided to sell most of the land. They sold it to a new group called The Wetlands Initiative. This group works to protect and restore wetlands.

In 2001, The Wetlands Initiative turned off the pumps. They started removing or blocking the old farm drainage pipes. They began working to bring the natural wetland back. Over time, the area changed. It became a mix of wet meadows, prairies, marshes, and small ponds. The old lakes, Hennepin and Hopper, also returned.

Adding More Land

In December 2014, The Wetlands Initiative bought another 417 acres of land next to the refuge. This new area is called Hickory Hollow. Most of this land will be restored to different natural habitats. It also includes an important area called the Dore Seep. This 26-acre area is a special Illinois Nature Preserve because it helps feed groundwater into the refuge.

Special Recognition and Wildlife

Important Bird Area

In 2004, the Illinois Audubon Society named the Hennepin Lake site an "Important Bird Area of Illinois." Many people who watch birds visit the refuge. They record the different kinds of birds and other animals they see. For example, the pied-billed grebe bird was once considered threatened in Illinois. But its numbers grew so much at the refuge that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources was able to remove it from the threatened list.

In 2005, the refuge was named the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge. This was to honor Sue and Wes Dixon, who were important donors.

International Wetland Status

In February 2012, the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge received a big honor. It was named the 35th "Wetland of International Importance" in the United States. This special title comes from the Ramsar Convention, an international agreement to protect important wetlands. The refuge joined another important wetland, the Emiquon Complex, which is also on the Illinois River.

Visiting the Refuge

The Dixon Waterfowl Refuge is open every day for visitors. You can get there from Hennepin Farms Road, which is about two miles south of Hennepin, Illinois, off Illinois Route 26.

The Wetlands Initiative has built many ways for people to explore. There are boardwalks, walking trails, and a tall 30-foot birdwatching tower. A new 2.7-mile-long trail opened in 2015. Naturalists and volunteers work to keep the refuge healthy. They remove invasive species like common carp fish from the lakes. They also remove harmful plants from the wet meadows and Dore Seep.

Images for kids

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  Nelumbo lutea, American lotus at Dixon Waterfowl Refuge