Watersheds of Illinois - 1996

26. Big Muddy River Watershed

The Big Muddy River originates in northwestern Jefferson County in the heart of the Southern Till Plain and flows south and west for approximately 114 miles. It eventually forms the Jackson/Union County line and joins the Mississippi River at river mile 76. The Big Muddy River Watershed drains 1,510,655 acres in Washington, Jefferson, Perry, Franklin, Jackson, and Williamson counties. The largest cities in the watershed are Carbondale (27,033), Mt. Vernon (17,000), and Marion (14,545). Major tributaries within the Big Muddy Watershed include Casey Fork, Middle Fork Big Muddy, Little Muddy River, Crab Orchard Creek, and Beaucoup Creek. A total of 1,480 stream miles were assessed on the Big Muddy River and its tributaries. Overall resource quality is "good" on 227 stream miles (15%) and "fair" on 1,253 stream miles (85%). The primary causes of water quality problems are nutrients and organic enrichment (low dissolved oxygen) attributed to agriculture, resource extraction, and hydrologic/habitat modifications. A total of 39 lakes covering 35,855 acres were also assessed in the watershed. Overall resource quality is "good" on 21,809 acres (61%) and "fair" on 14,046 acres (39%). The primary causes of water quality problems are suspended solids, organic enrichment (low dissolved oxygen), and metals attributed to agriculture and shoreline erosion.

Big Muddy River

The Big Muddy River (N) flows southwesterly from Cravat, Ill., to the confluence with the Mississippi River. A total of 215 stream miles were assessed on the Big Muddy River. Of the total, 68 miles were rated as "good," and the overall resource quality of 147 stream miles was rated as "fair." Causes of pollution include nutrients, siltation, and suspended solids attributed to agricultural runoff, resource extraction, and point sources.

Crab Orchard Creek

Crab Orchard Creek (ND) originates in northeast Williamson County and flows westward to its confluence with the Big Muddy River in eastern Jackson County. The middle reaches of Crab Orchard Creek have been impounded to form Crab Orchard Lake. All of the 35 stream miles assessed on Crab Orchard Creek were rated as "fair" in terms of the overall resource quality. Causes of pollution include siltation and organic enrichment (low dissolved oxygen) attributed to agriculture, urban runoff, resource extraction, and point sources.

Beaucoup Creek

A total of 79 stream miles were assessed on Beaucoup Creek (NC). Of the total, 37 miles were rated as "good," and the overall resource quality of 42 stream miles was rated as "fair." Causes of pollution include nutrients, siltation, and suspended solids attributed to agricultural runoff and point sources.

Lake Kinkaid

Lake Kinkaid (RNC), located in Jackson County, is a 3,475 acre public lake created in 1971 by damming Kinkaid Creek. It has a 42,336 acre watershed. The overall resource quality of the lake is considered "fair." Primary causes of pollution to the lake are nutrients and organic enrichment (low dissolved oxygen). The primary source of pollution to the lake is agricultural runoff.

Devils Kitchen Lake

Devils Kitchen Lake (RNJ), located in Williamson County, is a 810 acre, public lake managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The lake was created by damming Grassy Creek in 1959 and has a 11,700 acre watershed. The overall resource quality of the lake is considered "good." There are no current causes or sources of pollution identified as currently impacting Devils Kitchen. This is one of the state's highest quality inland lakes and preserving this unique resource will continue to be a high priority.

Crab Orchard Lake

Crab Orchard Lake (RNA), located in Williamson County, is a public lake managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The lake has a surface area of 6,965 acres, making it the fourth largest inland lake in Illinois. It receives its water from a watershed of 109,261 acres. The overall resource quality of the lake is considered "fair." Causes of pollution to Crab Orchard Lake include nutrients, suspended solids, and organic enrichment (low dissolved oxygen). Sources of pollution include agriculture, urban runoff, shoreline erosion, and waterfowl.