Ice Age Imprints: How Glaciers Shaped Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin, and Eastern Iowa

During the Wisconsin Glaciation, massive ice sheets sculpted northern Illinois into flat, fertile plains with subtle moraines and kettle lakes, while southern Wisconsin emerged with rolling hills, drumlins, and abundant lakes from deeper glacial scouring. Eastern Iowa’s glaciated northeast features gentle plains enriched by till, contrasting with the rugged, unglaciated Driftless Area along the Mississippi, softened only by windblown loess. Across these regions, retreating glaciers left behind rich soils and redirected drainage systems, crafting the Midwest’s iconic landscapes and agricultural backbone.