1982 Map of Duck Island

About this map

The Illinois River serves as the primary artery through this riverfront landscape, dividing the riverfront community of Liverpool from the dense wetlands and conservation tracts to the east. By the early 1980s, the region was defined by a massive network of protected lands, including the Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge and the Rice Lake State Conservation Area. These areas preserve a complex system of backwater lakes and sloughs, such as Miserable Lake and Pond Lily Lake, which speak to the historic hydrological patterns of the Illinois River valley before modern reclamation.