When Chicago set itself the colossal task of changing the direction of its most important river (forever)

Chicago. The third largest city in the United States, located in the state of Illinois, is known worldwide for its vibrant modern landscape. from any part of this immense metropolis it’s almost impossible to lose sight of its towering skyscrapers, including the John Hancock Center and the Chicago Tribune, and the richness of its tree-dotted green spaces.

One of the elements that are undoubtedly part of the DNA of this city is the Chicago River. We’re talking about 200+ kilometers of water flowing southwest into Mississippi. But there was a time when this river emptied into the enormous Lake Michigan. His change of direction project has been named “one of the seven wonders of American engineering.”

The solution, the change of direction

At the end of the 19th century, Chicago was one of the fastest growing cities in the world, but as the number of inhabitants skyrocketed, a threat loomed on the horizon. The sewage sailed freely and untreated to Lake Michigan, the city’s main source of drinking water, leading to a series of serious health problems.

In 1854, according to the Chicago Encyclopedia, more than 1,400 people died of cholera, while other infectious diseases, such as typhoid fever, also put the health of millions of other people at risk. Decades later, in 1885, a strong storm imprinted on the authorities the need to resolve as soon as possible that situation that seemed to get out of control.

As a result of that weather event, the river discharged large amounts of contaminated water and threatened the city’s drinking water supply. Thus, in 1889, the Illinois General Assembly created the Chicago Sanitary District (now renamed the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District) for the purpose of “protecting the health and safety of citizens and waterways.”

One of the ideas that came out of the newly created organization was to permanently change the flow of the Chicago River. It was a medium-term solution that would require years of work, millions of dollars of investment and that, moreover, would have to withstand an avalanche of criticism. For some the project was viable, but risky, but for others an absurd idea that should not go ahead.

According to data from Chicago Water Walkthousands of workers began building a massive canal more than 25 miles long that would connect to the Des Plaines River, carrying the city’s sewage in meaning to mississippi. Since the channel had been designed to get deeper as it moved west, most of the work would be done by gravity.

On January 2, 1900, before releasing the containment system

Already in the new century, in 1900, a mechanical shovel released the containment system of the last dam that separated the Chicago River from the new channel. Eventually, the river began to feed on water from Lake Michigan instead of depositing it into it. That ambitious and daring plan had paid off, becoming one of the feats of the time (which continues to amaze today).

Over the years, Chicago continued to work on its sanitation and purification system. In 1948, the Illinois and Michigan Canal was inaugurated. complemented the mission of the canal previously built and which was later designated as a National Heritage Area. In addition, the River has been subjected to exhaustive cleaning tasks on several occasions.

Images: David B Gleason | Metropolitan Water Reclamation District | scottmliebenson

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