Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

Coffeen Lake is an attractive site with history of providing anglers and hunters success. The site was opened in 1986 and currently operates under a long term lease and management agreement between the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources and Ameren Energy Generating Company. This agreement grants authority to the State to open the lake and certain lands to the public for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, picnicking and hunting. History The original power company built a 75-foot high earthen dam on a branch of the east Fork of Shoal Creek in 1963. The lake was completely filled by 1966 and now serves as cooling water for the coal-fired Coffeen Power Station. The power station has a generating capacity of 945 megawatts of electricity, with the first unit coming into operation in 1965 and the larger, second unit in 1972. The heated discharge affects 73% of the surface water. The cooling loop is 4.1 miles. Natural Features The oak-hickory forests surrounding Coffeen Lake are representative of the native cover found within the Southern Till Plain Natural Division of central and southern Illinois. Soils are of loess and till, rather light and a characteristic "claypan" can be found. Pre-settlement vegetation was a mixture of 60 % forest to 40% prairie and wetlands. A variety of trees, woodland and prairie plants cover the slopes of the stream valley. Visitors may also find a diverse wildlife community. Muskrats, turtles, herons and mussels are seen in or near the water. Red-tailed hawk, blue jay or a dragonfly might be seen in the air. Bobwhite, coyote, white-tailed deer and black rat snake are common to the area. The opportunity to observe and enjoy the area's rich wildlife heritage is available.