Skokie Lagoons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Skokie Lagoons |
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Skokie Lagoons in autumn
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 Skokie Lagoons
Location in Illinois
Skokie Lagoons
Location in the United States
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| Location | Cook County, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 42°06′06″N 87°45′33″W / 42.10167°N 87.75917°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 620 feet (190 m) |
| Settlements | Glencoe, Winnetka |
The Skokie Lagoons is a wonderful nature area. It is located in Glencoe and Winnetka, Illinois. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County takes care of this special place.
The park has clear borders. To the north is Dundee Road. Forestway Drive is on the east side. Willow Road marks the southern edge. The Edens Expressway is to the west. Inside the park, you will find seven connected lagoons. These lakes cover about 190 acres (0.77 square kilometers). Water flows into the lagoons from the Chicago Botanic Garden. It then continues south to the Skokie River. A main dam at Willow Road controls the water level. Three smaller dams help keep the water levels steady around the inner islands. Skokie Lagoons is a great spot for many outdoor activities. You can go biking, fishing, boating, or even paddleboarding. It is also a fantastic place for birdwatching.
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Discovering Skokie Lagoons' Past
The area where Skokie Lagoons now sits was once a large marsh. The Potawatomi people called it Chewbab Skokie. This means "Big Wet Prairie." Farmers later drained some of the marsh. This left behind a soft, muddy area called a peat bog. During spring floods, the marsh would turn into a huge lake. This often flooded nearby roads and properties.
How the Lagoons Were Created
To solve the flooding problem, a big project began in 1933. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped with this work. The CCC was a program that gave jobs to young men during the Great Depression. Thousands of workers moved a lot of earth. They reshaped the land to create the lagoons we see today. This huge effort was the largest CCC project in the entire nation. It took seven years to complete, finishing in 1940.
Restoring Nature's Balance
Over time, high water levels caused problems. They wore away the shorelines. This filled the lagoons with dirt and hurt the fish homes. From 1995 to 1999, the Chicago Audubon Society started a project. They added thousands of plants to the shoreline. These plants helped stop the land from washing away. They focused on the northern lagoons first.
Workers also removed plants that were not native to the area. These included garlic mustard and buckthorn. They replaced them with native plants and grasses. Some of these helpful plants were goldenrod, tall coreopsis, compass plant, cup plant, aster, coneflower, switchgrass, rattlesnake masters, woodland brome, and cinquefoil.
In 1996, the Forest Preserve District also started a restoration plan. This included improving fishing spots. They also removed extra dirt from the lagoons. They worked to improve the fish populations and built a boat launch.
Fun Activities at Skokie Lagoons
Skokie Lagoons offers many ways to enjoy the outdoors.
Biking Adventures
There are great paths for biking. A 1.6-mile (2.6 km) asphalt bike path runs along the west side. It stretches between Willow Road and Tower Road. Another 4.2-mile (6.8 km) loop goes all around the lagoons. This loop is between Tower Road and Dundee Road. These paths connect to the 20-mile (32 km) North Branch Trail. You can even bike all the way to the Chicago Botanic Gardens!
Fishing for Fun
Skokie Lagoons is a popular spot for fishing. You can find many types of fish here. Some common fish include bass, walleye, northern pike, channel catfish, bluegill, crappie, and bullheads.
Boating on the Water
The lagoons are about 10 feet (3 meters) deep. This makes them perfect for small boats. You can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, or rowboating. It is a peaceful way to explore the water.
Birdwatching Wonders
If you love birds, Skokie Lagoons is a must-visit. Over 210 different kinds of birds have been seen here! It is a great place to spot many unique species.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Many interesting reptiles and amphibians live in Skokie Lagoons. You might see different kinds of turtles, like Painted, Alligator, and Snapping turtles. Various species of frogs also call the lagoons home.
