Powerton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electricity generation |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Owner | NRG Energy |
Powerton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is a partially protected ecosystem situated southwest of Pekin, Illinois within Tazewell County, Illinois. This body of water functions as a cooling reservoir owned by NRG Energy, a company specializing in electricity generation, with management overseen by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The lake is popular for fishing, especially targeting blue catfish, and about 60% of its surface is allocated for duck and goose hunting during authorized seasons. The remaining 40% remains a permanent sanctuary for waterfowl.
Description
Positioned next to the Illinois River, Powerton Lake lies in low-lying wetland terrain that is unsuitable for farming purposes. The lake includes engineered features such as three causeways that extend into the water, segmenting it into four parts to shield the shoreline from wind and storm erosion. It serves as an outlying extension of the Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, another hunting reserve located near Manito, Illinois.
History
Built and filled in 1971 by Commonwealth Edison Company, the lake was designed as a cooling pond for Powerton Station, a coal-fired power facility with a capacity of 1,538 megawatts situated on the lake’s southeast shore. Initially established in the 1930s and expanded in 1971, Powerton Station requires substantial water volumes for turbine cooling. To meet environmental water quality standards, this reservoir was developed to cool the heat exchanger rather than drawing directly from the Illinois River. The lake spans , with depths reaching up to 18 feet and averaging around 8 feet. Water circulates eastward from the plant through baffles, renewing approximately every 48 hours. As a "perched" reservoir encircled by levees, it is elevated to maximize cooling effects through wind exposure.
In 1983, the IDNR leased the property for recreational fishing and waterfowl hunting activities. The area officially opened to public access in September 1984, commemorated by a dedication event on September 18.
Fish
The discharge of warm water from the power station promotes accelerated fish growth but negatively impacts their reproductive success. Severe summer heat events, such as those experienced in 2012, led to large-scale fish die-offs that clogged intake screens and caused temporary shutdowns at Powerton Station. Winter water temperatures range between .
In 2001, blue catfish were introduced from Arkansas into Powerton Lake; some specimens reached sizes of by 2011. Alligator gar stocked in 2011 have grown to lengths of up to and weights of . Powerton Lake is recognized as one of Illinois’ premier locations for smallmouth bass fishing.
Additional fish species inhabiting the lake include striped bass hybrids, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, white bass, gizzard shad, threadfin shad, bigmouth buffalo, bluegill, redear sunfish, carp, smallmouth buffalo, freshwater drum, silver carp, green sunfish, pirate perch, shortnose gar, walleyes, crappies, and bighead carp.
Birds
The Peoria Audubon Society has documented more than 179 bird species at Powerton Lake. Commonly observed birds include diving ducks, mallards, bald eagles, mergansers, buffleheads, and goldeneyes.
Facilities
Visitors to Powerton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area can access parking areas, a boat launch, fenced sections, and restroom facilities. The site does not provide food, fuel, or additional amenities on location, and there are no limits on boat engine horsepower.
External links
- U.S. Geological Survey Map available through the U.S. Geological Survey Map Website. Accessed January 12, 2023.