illinois state park administered acres community area illinois united_states area includes acres water wolf lake provides miles shoreline fishermen park hosts half million visitors annually park contains numerous species important biological sites chicago region history wolf lake illinois history lost track origins goes years history includes visits abraham_lincoln nearly drowned state acquired acres parcel known wolf lake state recreation area later acquisitions added property increased area known wolf lake conservation area named area powers chicago legislator 1920s site feed great depression park military history defunct missile honoring missile site occupied area cold war years memorial day independence day veterans day ceremonies attract veterans place flags markers near dedication ceremony site featured moving vietnam wall unlike lake michigan shoreline sand clay filled large steel mills wildlife contains bass northern pike hybrid yellow perch occasional salmon rainbow trout caught lake salmon access lake tributary native non native mute found lake winter absent summer migrate arctic nest non native mute compete habitat non migrating swan population restoration native great lakes additional native birds hosted lake include cardinals blue resident migratory canada occasional bald eagle enjoy non native monk south american nests park hunters enjoy seasonal south american monk arrived site established nests seven birds presumed migrated community area park contains willow trees park attracts city dwelling mammals rabbits occasional white tailed deer beaver sign indicates beaver lake currently august wolf lake neighboring regions hosted convened expert scientists identify record living organisms possible hours purpose demonstrate extraordinary range organisms nature battle south chicago factories warehouses forest preserves residences highways battle survival killer pest species unofficially counted species included teams scientists field museum forest preserve district lake endangered indiana illinois banded threatened illinois wolf lake ecology lake supports nesting habitat species endangered birds little blue yellow crowned night black crowned night yellow headed conservation studying ways halt degradation lake helping study public interests recreation wolf lake wolf lake water level determines drainage lake michigan connecting flows southward elevated levels northward lowered levels water wolf lake inches higher removed dams built subsequent drop water depth encouraged growth changed fishing conditions initiated reconnaissance report december approved september environmental assessment held commenced wolf lake ecosystem degradation problem includes exotic plant species low diversity plant fish species water depth poor aquatic habitat impact shoreline erosion proposed project features include new aquatic wetland habitat shoreline restoration creating deep holes locally lake biological controls channels clearing construction restore natural water levels use park offers shelters available reservation shelters capacity people capacity people fishing hunting permitted accordance regulations camping allowed ice fishing permitted winter horsepower permitted summer lake temper wave height hunting hunt sites awarded yearly held late july season daily drawings held blind holders use park protected types volunteers example 14th annual earth day wolf lake cleanup april volunteers including hammond mayor helped clean remove estimated pounds waste week later associates collected discarded tires lake shoreline semi annual organized club wolf lake rod gun club work scouts community organizations geography wolf lake extends illinois line streets acres lake acres city chicago remainder city hammond maximum depth feet wetlands adjacent lake include acres acres lake prairie acres lake wetland chicago far southeast highways main park entrance south avenue time wolf lake connected lake michigan creek running hammond indiana creek long blocked development illinois wolf lake feeds illinois indiana separated road border represented rock gravel passes lake state line road ends foot bridges water enters indiana
William W. Powers State Recreation Area