1930 Alignment at Lake Springfield

I-55 exit 90, left to N Cotton Hill Rd, right to gate, walk 800' to water. Good photo op! - see page 3C

Old Route 66 north of Springfield Lake, N. Cotton Hill Rd, Springfield IL

In 1931 land was cleared to make Springfield Lake, south of Springfield. It was created to supply water to the growing town of Springfield because the Sangamon River could not provide enough water. Land was cleared from 1931 to 1935 and the Lakeside Power Station and Water Purification PLant were also made during this time. By 1933 the man-made lake began taking water from Sugar Creek and Lick Creek. It ook 18 months to fill the 4,300-acre Lake.

To get to this section of Old Route 66, take I-55 exit 90, Toronto Rd east to N Cotton Hill Rd, follow N Cotton Hill Rd south to gate, walk 800' to water. Good photo op!

http://www.lib.niu.edu/1993/ihy930571b.html

https://epa.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/epa/documents/water-quality/watershed-management/tmdls/reports/lake-springfield/final-permit.pdf

Photo(s):

Oct 6, 2015 - Camera #1630 - DSC0078 - 0085