Project Title: Gilbert Lake Cleanout (FFS #R3GW)

State: Illinois

Project Description: The Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge in Illinois used nearly $240,000 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to clean out the Gilbert Lake outlet channel and restore aquatic habitat on the refuge. The project was completed in Fall 2010.

Gilbert Lake is a backwater lake on the lower Illinois River that provides important habitat for an abundance of fish and wildlife species. The funding resulted in the restoration of two channels that allow drainage of Gilbert Lake. Prior to completion of this project, the lake and natural channels had filled with silt and habitat conditions had noticeably deteriorated. Cleaning out the channels helped to restore habitat conditions and re-established water control. Water levels can now be managed to mimic more natural conditions and provide important feeding, nesting and resting areas vital to migrating waterfowl and other wildlife.

For additional information about Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge, visit the Two Rivers NWR website.

News Release: Secretary Salazar Announces $200,000 for Infrastructure Repairs and Habitat Restoration at Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge

Originally posted 08/10/2009
Page Completed 11/02/2011