DNR restores Hennepin, Hopper lakes

SPRINGFIELD (AP) - Hennepin and Hopper lakes along the Illinois River are home to wildlife again after extensive restoration by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Wetlands Initiative.

The 2,600-acre marsh and lake area was drained last winter to remove the common carp, an invasive species. The plant extract rotenone was used to remove the carp. Carp had destroyed the lakes’ ecosystem and waterfowl in 2008 dropped by 90 percent from its 2004 peak.

Rain and groundwater refilled the lakes by midsummer, and they have been restocked with thousands of fish.

The refuge is about 40 miles north of Peoria. It’s owned by the Wetlands Initiative and several not-for-profit organizations.

Migrating ducks returned this fall as well as the endangered yellow-headed blackbird.