Bureau County, Illinois tourism

Hennepin & Hopper Lakes Restoration Project

In April 2001, a Chicago-based non-profit ecological restoration organization known as The Wetlands Initiative began restoring a 2,600-acre levee district back into a complex of lakes, wetlands and prairie. Besides reestablishing native wildlife habitat other objectives for this site include demonstrating cost-effective self-sustaining solutions to water pollution and flood management issues, public education, research, and providing high-quality open public space for recreational opportunities. Nature lovers can expect to see an impressive array of birds, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies, as well as emergent aquatic plants and prairie-dwelling grasses and wildflowers. Wonderful birding opportunities occur year round, peaking during both the Spring and Fall migration periods when tens of thousands of ducks and other species can be viewed on a daily basis from the observation tower.

Site Access - Free; dawn-dusk
GPS - n 41.21619; w 89.32144
Site Contact - 312-922-0777/ website 

Directions:

From the intersection of SR 26 (State Route) and I 80 in Princeton, go east on I 80 for 4.3 miles to Exit 61/I 180. Go south on I 180 for 13.4 miles. Take the Connecting Rd. exit for 0.2 miles. Go south on SR 26 for 2.4 miles. Turn west (right) on Hennepin Farms Road, following it 1.0 mile to an old concrete bridge. Turn west (left) just before the bridge, and follow the sandy lane for 0.2 miles to the parking area near the observation tower.