River Bend Forest Preserve

We need your help
We need the help of everyone to preserve the pristine water quality in River Bend Forest Preserve. The lakes are spring fed and have no flowing outlet. Therefore, any pollutants or trash put into the lakes cannot be diluted or washed away. We need your help keeping these lakes as clean as possible so that many future generations can enjoy what nature has to offer.

Exotic or Invasive Species such as the Zebra Mussel, Asian Carp, and Eurasian Watermilfoil have invaded Illinois at a very large cost. These small pieces of live plant material or young animals can be carried inside your boat motor, livewell, or trailer for several days and be inadvertently deposited into a new area. Once in a new environment, they adapt quickly and can aggressively overtake native populations of plants and animals.

To protect water and wildlife from invasive species:

• Fishing with minnows or other live bait is prohibited. Worms are allowed.
• Boats with gasoline engines mounted on them (whether the engine is in use or not) are not allowed. Please remove motors prior to launching your boat.
• Boats with built-in livewells are not allowed.
• Boaters are requested not to launch any boat that has been in the Illinois River, Wabash River, or Great Lakes within five days prior to their visit to River Bend.
• Boaters are requested to check boats, trailers, trolling motors, etc. to make sure no plant matter is clinging to them before placing boats in the lake.

Thank you. We appreciate your patience during the construction and development of the River Bend Forest Preserve. Please help us spread the word about these special precautions. If you have any questions, you may contact us at 586-3360 or at hq@ccfpd.org. Enjoy!

General Rules
All CCFPD rules and ordinances are in effect. Be especially aware that:

• Dogs must be leashed at all times.
• Alcohol, camping and hunting are all prohibited.
• Power for watercraft is limited to oar, paddle, or electric trolling motors.
• Sails and all air-buoyed craft such as inflatable rafts are not allowed.

Boundaries

• Areas marked with buoy lines are not to be entered. Buoy lines should not be crossed, moved or used to facilitate anchoring.
• Areas marked as private property do not belong to the Forest Preserve District, and crossing into those areas is considered to be trespassing.

Directions
From Champaign-Urbana, take I-72 west to Route 47. Go north on Route 47 for 3-1/2 miles to MidAmerica Road (look for sign that says MidAmerica Sand & Gravel). Turn left (west) and follow road past MidAmerica Sand & Gravel entrance to River Bend Forest Preserve entrance.

For more information about River Bend, please contact the CCFPD Headquarters Office at (217) 586-3360 or hq@ccfpd.org.