Illinois State Library

Document Identification

Title

• The Thompson Lake/Emiquon Story: The Biology, Drainage, and Restoration of an Illinois River Bottomland Lake

Description

• Irregularly published series focusing on specific topics. Excerpt: Thompson Lake was the largest and most recognized bottomland lake in the Illinois River valley (Figure 1). The populations of avifauna, particularly waterfowl, and fishes that frequented and inhabited Thompson and adjoining Flag Lake attracted Native Americans, and later explorers, settlers, and tourists, to its shores. Nestled immediately north of the confluence of the Spoon and Illinois rivers in Fulton County, Thompson Lake was a biological paradise (Figure 2). The story of the fate of Thompson Lake is representative of many other bottomland lakes along the Illinois River and other large midwestern floodplains. The Thompson Lake story is unique, however, because of its centuries of fertility and productivity; the decades of controversy surrounding its public versus private ownership and whether it was navigable or could legally be drained; its importance to the local and regional economies for sustenance, income, recreation, and tourism; its drainage and subsequent development into the largest farm in the state; and the often contentious discussions concerning its reestablishment. Since 1986, there have been strong renewed interest and organized endeavors to restore Thompson Lake. As a result, this story is presented to coalesce the wealth of available information, to enhance wetland restoration efforts in the Illinois Valley, and to illustrate the lakes intriguing past, present, and future.

Access This Publication

1. INHS Special Pub 25 (SP25.pdf).
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This is part of a series. It is part of Illinois Natural History Survey Special Publications: 10751