Areas designated as protection areas in Save The Dunes' October 2015 document Little Calumet River, East Branch Watershed Management Plan. The areas were mapped by The Wetlands Initiative in 2018.

The following text is taken from page 153 of the aforementioned management plan.

Critical areas are locations with the most degraded water quality. These areas have been given highest priority for the implementation of restoration funds and activities. The designated critical areas are likely the largest contributors of pollutant loads in the watershed.

Conversely, protection areas have the highest water quality in the watershed. These areas are crucial for the long-term environmental health of the watershed and require protective measures to maintain or enhance existing water quality. The protection of these areas will prevent future degradation to promote higher water quality throughout the watershed.