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The Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals with a combined length of 156 miles (251 km) that runs through the city of Chicago, including its center (the Chicago Loop).
Apr 19, 2024 · Chicago River, navigable stream that originally flowed into Lake Michigan after being formed by the north and south branches about 1 mile (1.6 km) west of the lake, in Chicago, northeastern Illinois, U.S. The Chicago River system flows 156 miles (251 km) from Park City (north) to Lockport (south); some 45 bridges span the river.
Forty miles north of downtown Chicago, the Chicago River begins its journey in Park City, Illinois, where a small stormwater channel enters the Greenbelt Forest Preserve and forms the headwaters of the Skokie River.
For centuries, the Chicago River has drawn intrepid explorers, immigrant laborers, and industrial giants to its shores, lured by the promise of its opportunities. Yet as much as the river has been Chicago’s raison d’être, it has also been our most precarious problem to solve.
For some people, the 156-mile Chicago River is best known for its scenic architectural boat tours and beautiful riverwalk. But the river that flows through the heart of downtown Chicago, past forest preserves and parks, and all kinds of urban and suburban communities is the lifeblood of the region.
See how Chicago defied the odds and pulled off one of the greatest engineering feats in U.S. history. In a herculean effort to save the city from the ravages...
Since 1979, Friends has been working to improve the health of the Chicago River system for the benefit of people and wildlife and by doing so, has laid the foundation for the river to be a beautiful, continuous, easily accessible corridor of open space in the Chicago region.
In the mid- to late-nineteenth century, Chicago was the fastest growing city in the world, according to historian Donald Miller. Yet its future was jeopardized by its own waste, which flowed – untreated – from the Chicago River into Lake Michigan, the city’s source of clean drinking water.
Located on the south bank of the Chicago River, the award-winning, pedestrian-friendly Chicago Riverwalk stretches 1.25 miles from Lake Michigan to Lake Street. Along the way you’ll discover intimate coves, breezy cafes, wineries and bars, public art, monuments, museums, and a boatload of excursions on the water.
Aug 2, 2018 · Mayors and city planners have long dreamed of making the Chicago River a busy, dazzling waterfront. It might have finally happened. This summer, I explored the riverfront in Chicago’s Loop...
