Powerton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area combines industrial infrastructure with wildlife management along the Illinois River near Pekin. Created in 1971 as a cooling reservoir for the coal-fired Powerton Station, the engineered lake uses levees, causeways, and controlled water movement to dissipate heat while supporting recreation and habitat. Public fishing and waterfowl hunting began in the 1980s under Illinois Department of Natural Resources management, with part of the lake reserved as a year-round refuge. Warm water has made the lake an unusual fishery where species such as blue catfish and alligator gar grew rapidly, while also creating risks such as the severe fish kill during the extreme heat of 2012. The area is also known for abundant birdlife.