 |
||
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|||||
| Thousands of
years ago, the glaciers that once covered Lake Michigan melted. The draining water scoured the land down to the bedrock, forming the DesPlaines River Valley. Today, this area of exposed bedrock at Lockport Prairie is one of the best examples of dolomite prairie in Illinois.
Lockport Prairie's unique habitat is formed by water-cold, low in oxygen, and high in calcium-percolating through rocky bluffs and seeping out through the bottom. The preserve is notable for its high number of federal- and state-threatened and endangered species. Among the rare plants in the preserve is the Lakeside Daisy, which is found in only three other locations in the United States. Forest Preserve staff continually manage the site, ensuring, that protected species continue to flourish. Look for cool, clean rivulets-unique to this type of habitat-that flow through the prairie as you hike the 0.4-mile trail. |
 "It looks like the tall grass is waving for you to come out and hike through it." - Preserve visitor Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve is located at Route 53 (Broadway) and Division Street, approximately 1.0-mile south of Route 7. Turn east on Division Street and follow to trail head. Summer Hours (April - October) 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. / Winter Hours (November - March) 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
||||
){kind=small}
