CO 



22 IL 6. Little Black Slough and Heron Pond. Acreage: 1000. 



Z 



Location: Johnson County; Karnak Quadrangle; 5.5 miles SW of Vienna; 

 reached via U.S. 45 S of Vienna, then W on Belknap Rd. 



Description: The largest bald cypress and tupelo swamp left in Illinois. This 

 swamp has many areas which have not been cut for timber. In general, swamp 

 tupelo is a more abundant but smaller tree than the cypress; however, at Heron 

 Pond, 1 mile E of Little Black Slough, there occurs a large, nearly pure stand of 

 cypress, the best in the state. Many of the large cypress trees in Heron Pond are 

 more than 5 ft in diameter above the swollen base. Other interesting plants in- 

 clude Styra.x americana and Ilea virginica, swamp buttercup (Ranunculus flabel- 

 laris), bedstraw (Galium tinctorium), and water featherfoil (Hottonia inflata). In 

 the western area, known as Black Slough, are the orchid (Triphora tri- 

 anthophora), hastate-leaved snakeroot (Aristolochia hastata), and creeping 

 loosestrife (Lysimachia radicans). There are many heron rookeries throughout 

 both swamps. Swamp reptiles include the cottonmouth, bird-voiced tree frog, 

 and mole salamander. This is one of the last strongholds of the bobcat in the 

 state. 



Encroachments: An attempt is presently being made to establish a Cache River 

 Conservancy District which could lead to the drainage of this and other swamps 

 in the area. Main Bros, are in the lumbering business. 



Ownership: Main Bros., Box and Lumber Co., Karnak, 111. 62956, and Mr. 

 Charles Marshall, Greenville, III. 62246. The land is for sale at $500 per acre. 



Data source: Dr. Robert H. Mohlenbrock, Department of Botany, Southern Il- 

 linois University, Carbondale, 111. 62901; John Schwegman, Illinois Nature 

 Preserves Commission, 303 W. Grand Ave., Carterville, III. 629 1 8. 



Other knowledgeable persons: Dr. W. D. Klimstra and Mr. John White, 

 Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, 111. 62901. 



