Baldwin Lake (Illinois) - The Lake Today

The Lake Today

While Dynegy continues to own Baldwin Lake, they have transferred the operating rights over much of the lake (except that part closest to the power plant, which is closed to the public for security reasons) to the state of Illinois, which manages the lake for sport fishing. As with many power plant lakes, the lake is stocked with fish that are tolerant of the warm waters discharged from the power plant's boilers, such as largemouth bass and crappie.

Migratory bird species welcome the always-warm waters of Baldwin Lake, with peak populations of 20,000 ducks and 10,000 Canada geese noted. Approximately 200 geese live in and around the lake year-round. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) considers the water quality of Baldwin Lake to be "fair," as is the water quality in the lower Kaskaskia River where most of the water in the lake came from.

The state of Illinois enforces a power limit on the lake, with allowable boat motors limited to no more than 50 horsepower (37 kW).

Baldwin Lake is accessed from Illinois Route 154, which passes through the nearby towns of Baldwin, Sparta, and Red Bud.

As of 2007, Dynegy has applied for permission to expand the Baldwin Lake complex by 1,500 megawatts. If expanded, the complex would generate 3,250 megawatts.