Patterns of erosion and sedimentation in the Illinois River basin

The Illinois River, one of the major tributaries to the Mississippi River in the central United States, has a drainage area of 75 156 km² that covers portions of three states: Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Land used for agriculture in Illinois has been increasing steadily over the years. At present, more than 80% of the Illinois River basin is used for agricultural purposes resulting in higher soil erosion. The most significant impact of soil erosion in the Illinois River basin is the high rate of sedimentation in the bottomland lakes of the Illinois River valley. Bottomland lakes have lost on the average more than 72% of their capacities, and some lakes are completely filled with sediment. Sedimentation patterns along the river also change the geomorphology of the Illinois River.