Sand and Gravel
Deposits of sand and gravel, found in many parts of Illinois, provide large quantities of material for concrete, railroad ballast, road gravel, building sand, molding sand, and other uses. Glacial deposits are the principal sources of sand and gravel, but in extreme southern Illinois where there is no glacial drift the main source of supply is Tertiary gravel and Devonian chert gravel.
Figure 11—The clay industry is scattered widely in Illinois. Many manufacturing plants are located at the clay pits.
KEY Pit or Plant
Almost every county has some sand and gravel, but the major areas of production are northeastern Illinois and some of the major rivers. Considerable tonnages of sand and gravel are dredged from bars in the channels of the Mississippi, Ohio, and Wabash Rivers.