Outdoor Columns
Wonderful Rivers Make This Vermilion River Country
By Sam VanCamp
Middlefork Scenic River Map Courtesy of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources
What makes this Vermilion River Country you might ask? It's our treasure of beautiful rivers that transverse our county supplying us with water, recreation and wildlife while draining our farmland and countryside.
Few areas in Illinois are as blessed as we are when it comes to clean and beautiful rivers all running swiftly toward the Wabash River, which lies just across our eastern border.
Not only do we have these wonderful rivers, but we host the only designated National Scenic River in Illinois, the Middle Fork.
The Middle Fork of the Vermilion River drains 450 square miles of land, beginning at the Big Four Ditch northeast of Paxton, the Middle Fork is about 106 miles in length as it runs through about seven miles of Kennekuk County Park and then proceeds along the western boundary of Kickapoo State Park until it joins with the Salt Fork of the Vermilion River just north of Catlin.
The Middle Fork is known for its scenic beauty as it cuts through the rock and shale layers which hold the past history of our county, winding like a snake through the parks. The river has a very narrow flood plain so water is channeled into the river, making it great for canoeing, kayaking, tubing or wading. The river can get treacherous during the rainy season, so know the weather and water conditions before heading out on the Middle Fork.
Scenic spot on the river.
The Salt Fork begins north of Rantoul and drains 509 square miles of land. The river is about 71 miles in length and joins the Middle Fork at Anderson Hill near Catlin. Where the two rivers join is the actual convergence of the Big Vermilion River, which then flows eastward toward Danville, winding through the countryside flowing toward Memorial Bridge near the heart of downtown Danville.
The North Fork of the Vermilion River actually begins in Indiana, entering Illinois just east of Hoopeston. The river is about 53 miles in length and drains 307 square miles flowing under Illinois Route 1 north of Danville and then dumping into the north end of Lake Vermilion. The river supplies the lake, which is the water source for the city of Danville.
The river starts up again as water flows over the Lake Vermilion Dam, winding through the city until it dumps into the Big Vermilion River just south of Ellsworth Park.
The Little Vermilion River lies east of Georgetown and never connects to the Big Vermilion River at any point. The Little Vermilion is a beautiful river that winds through the Harry "Babe" Woodyard state property east of Georgetown and then continues on until it dumps into the Wabash near Newport, Ind.
The Middle Fork, Salt Fork and Little Vermilion, as well as certain parts of the Big Vermilion and North Fork, have a tremendous smallmouth bass population, which makes for another great attraction to Vermilion River Country.
Bring a light action rod, a pair of cut-off jeans and a pair of old tennis shoes and try landing one of our big "smallies" during your visit.
Make Your Memories of 2007 Last Forever...
At YOUR County Parks!
Entrance to the Bunker Hill Historic Area.
The Vermilion County Conservation District Foundation is offering the sale of engraved bricks along the Commemorative Walkway. It's a unique way for Vermilion County residents and non-residents to make their memories of 2007 last forever and show support for the county parks.
The bricks, which make up the Commemorative Walkway at Kennekuk County Park west of Danville, allow people to make a permanent statement of a special time in their lives; recognize a special achievement such as a retirement, graduation, promotion; or commemorate a special date, a family reunion, a wedding, an anniversary or a birthday. It could even be a way to show one's patriotism, to recognize someone's military service or support a favorite athletic team or university.
If you're a member of an organization, it could show that your group supports the Vermilion County Conservation District Foundation as well.
Larger, double-size bricks also are available for businesses to show their support for the various educational programs and recreational facilities that make up the Vermilion County Conservation District. The larger bricks also can be used for any extended engravings from individuals as well.
The walkway also will continue to provide a means to establishing a lasting memorial to a loved one.
The engraved bricks replace the plain bricks along the walkway connecting the historical buildings at the Bunker Hill Historic Area, Kennekuk County Park. Each regular size brick is engraved per order and is offered at $100 each. The double size bricks are available at $200 each.
An antique gas pump stands tall at Neff Grocery.
The proceeds from the sale of the bricks this season will be earmarked for the long-awaited addition to Maple Grove Lodge at Forest Glen Preserve.
Maple Grove is located in a beautiful wooded area overlooking a tranquil pond and boasts a wood-burning fireplace and a large deck. The lodge was updated in 2005, through private donations, to include central heating and air conditioning. The goal is to add a kitchen and restroom area. These additions will make the lodge suitable for all kinds of social events, including family reunions, holiday gatherings, birthday parties and wedding receptions. With the large open area, it also will be an ideal conference setting.
The continuing sale of the commemorative bricks will allow the foundation to continue its mission of funding projects throughout the district including those at Forest Glen, Heron Park, Lake Vermilion Park, Kennekuk Park and Jordan Creek Nature Preserve. These are projects that are beyond available funds but go on to provide additional educational and recreational activities and improve facilities.
Purchase an engraved brick today to make your memory of 2007 last forever, and help improve the facilities of the county parks.
Order forms for bricks along the Commemorative Walkway are available at Forest Glen Preserve, (217) 662-2142; at Kennekuk County Park, (217) 442-1691; or online at http://www.vccd.org.
For information, contact: Ken Konsis, Vermilion County Conservation District, (217) 442-1691 or (217) 662-2142; or Gordon Thoennes, chairman, Vermilion County Conservation District Foundation, (217) 446-7950.
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