Travelers wishing to visit the fantastic city of Chicago seek to determine if the Mississippi River flows through the city or the vicinity. Travelers recently have heard about the “River City” nickname, leading them to believe there is waters flowing through the city. The answer is – not exactly!
The Mississippi River completely bypasses Chicago in a southward turn towards the Gulf of Mexico. The Illinois River, not the Mississippi, is the only major body of water that goes through the area. It borders the towns of Morris, LaSalle, and Ottawa. Despite being a tributary of Mississippi River it is not the same river.
In the mid-1800s, Chicago had ambitious plans to contain the river. Engineers in the city initially wanted the mighty Mississippi to swallow up the Illinois River, reverse its course and envelop the city. Although they started to match the works of their ancestors, these grandiose plans had to be abandoned. The effects of such a monumental undertaking could have been disastrous to the entire region. The lack of resources and lack of engineering experience forced the engineers to simply let things be, as they were.
Furthermore, there was local opposition to the project! There were reports that some people had already purchased lands adjacent to the Illinois River and the idea of lying their lands beneath the waters of Mississippi River shocked them. These people formed a strong opposition to the project, and it was decided to abandon it.
Even today, if one looks into the maps available in the satellite navigation systems, the Illinois River appears as an extension of the mighty Mississippi. But in reality, this is not so. The fact of the matter is that if you stand at the banks of Illinois River in Chicago and look towards Mississippi, you will see nothing but land.
Chicago is a young river city; it is not as old as some of the other river cities in the United States. While it has made good use of its rivers, it has not been blessed with the natural abundance of resources like the streams and creeks found in some of the older river towns. This has allowed the city to build up blocks along the river’s edges and make better use of its land.
The Chicago River, is a system of connected rivers and canals in the city of Chicago and many adjoining suburbs in the U.S. state of Illinois. It originally consisted of the North and South branches of the Chicago River and was later extended to the Lower Des Plaines River and the Cal-Sag Channel.
The Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal
The Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, commonly known as the Chicago Ship Canal, connects the Chicago River to the Mississippi River watershed. This project, completed in 1900 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, re-routed drainage from Chicago’s primary river, reversing the flow so that the river now flows away from Lake Michigan—instead of into it—and into the canal. The system is part of the Chicago Area Waterway System, which is an extensive system of canals, rivers, and channels in the Chicago area. This system connects various tributaries, the Chicago River itself, and finally the Sanitary and Ship Canal with the Mississippi River.
The main purpose of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal is to provide flood protection and to keep Lake Michigan from being polluted by sewage from the Chicago River area. The canal serves as a waterway for commercial barge traffic, allowing it to travel from the Gulf of Mexico through the Mississippi River, to the canal system, and into the Chicago Harbor. This shipping route boosts the economy of the city of Chicago.
In addition to being a major part of the national shipping corridor, the Canal also serves an important role in the local economy. It is one of the many places where recreational activities such as boating and fishing take place, serving as an important source of entertainment and well-being to many citizens.
A Showcase Of Modern Engineering
The Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal is an example of modern-day engineering and ingenuity. Engineers worked tirelessly to make sure that the project was completed in the most efficient way possible. The canal is a showcase of engineering marvels, as it includes a series of locks, control systems, and pumps to control the water flow as it descends from the Chicago River to the Mississippi.
This massive canal project has been of great help in controlling flooding in the area and allowing easy transportation of goods to and from the Great Lakes. It has helped in connecting the Chicago River to the Gulf of Mexico and the ports around it. It has also aided in providing a clean water source for the Chicago and neighborhood areas, improving public health and recreation.
The completion of the Chicago River’s connection to the Great Lakes through the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal opened up vast new economic opportunities, outlined in a 1872 report prepared by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The report suggested harnessing the combined power of the river and canals to move goods efficiently, as well as providing a dependable source of revenue for the city of Chicago in the form of increased tourism.
Benefits To The Surrounding Areas
Although the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal has created changes in the environment, the overall effect is positive. The environmental effects of the new canal are mainly seen in the improved water quality of the river and surrounding areas, as the locks and control systems help keep the water levels regulated and keep waste and pollutants from entering the drinking water supply.
The canal has also helped to create an influx of business for the previously-depleted towns and areas along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, in the form of shipping, tourism, and recreation. Residents of these areas are now enjoying the benefits of a vibrant local economy. Many of the businesses that have established along the river have seen an uptick in activity and revenue, leading to further development and growth of the local towns.
At the same time, the canal has helped to lower the cost of shipping goods throughout the Midwest and improve transportation. The canal also offers a safer and more efficient means of transportation than traditional railways and roads, which can get overwhelmed during times of heavy traffic.
Environmental Impact
The most important aspect of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal is its impact on the environment. As mentioned earlier, the improved water quality that has come along with the canal is the main benefit. This has resulted in better water quality, leading to improved health outcomes of the area in which the canal flows.
The canal has also provided a habitat for many species of fish and wildlife, helping to protect them from further destruction. Aquatic life has been seen to have grown in the area, due to the presence of the canal and the improved water quality.
The Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal has also helped regulate flooding in the region, as the locks help to control the water levels so that flooding is less frequent. Local farmers have also benefited from the system, as their crops are now less likely to be damaged due to flooding.
Conclusion
The completion of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal has been highly beneficial to the people of Chicago and the surrounding areas. The canal has provided a dependable source of clean water, improved recreational opportunities, and more efficient transportation. It has also helped the local economies by providing jobs and much needed revenue. Although the canal has created changes in the environment, the overall effect is beneficial. As a result, the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal is a modern engineering marvel that will continue to benefit the city of Chicago for many years to come.
