Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge
Encyclopedia
The Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Illinois River
and the Mississippi River
in parts of Calhoun
, Jersey
, and Greene counties in Illinois
, and St. Charles County, Missouri. It is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex
.
As of 2009, the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge consists of five separate parcels of riverine bottomland wetland
s grouped in and around the confluence
of the Illinois and the Mississippi Rivers (hence the name, Two Rivers). The region is noted for its population of bald eagle
s.
The refuge is 8,501 acres (34 square km) in size. Its headquarters is located in the Calhoun County municipality of Brussels, Illinois
.
Illinois River
The Illinois River is a principal tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the State of Illinois. The river drains a large section of central Illinois, with a drainage basin of . This river was important among Native Americans and early French traders as the principal water route...
and the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
in parts of Calhoun
Calhoun County, Illinois
Calhoun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 5,089, which is an increase of 0.1% from 5,084 in 2000. Its county seat is Hardin. It is part of the Metro-East portion of the St...
, Jersey
Jersey County, Illinois
Jersey County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. Jersey County is part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 22,985, which is an increase of 6.1% from 21,668 in 2000...
, and Greene counties in Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, and St. Charles County, Missouri. It is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex
The Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex was established for the protection of migratory birds including waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds. It is located along the Mississippi Flyway, one of the major routes for migrating waterfowl...
.
As of 2009, the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge consists of five separate parcels of riverine bottomland wetland
Wetland
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
s grouped in and around the confluence
Confluence
Confluence, in geography, describes the meeting of two or more bodies of water.Confluence may also refer to:* Confluence , a property of term rewriting systems...
of the Illinois and the Mississippi Rivers (hence the name, Two Rivers). The region is noted for its population of bald eagle
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...
s.
The refuge is 8,501 acres (34 square km) in size. Its headquarters is located in the Calhoun County municipality of Brussels, Illinois
Brussels, Illinois
Brussels is a village in Calhoun County, Illinois, United States. The population was 141 at the 2000 census.-General information:Brussels is the headquarters location of the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge, which is noted for its population of bald eagles...
.