North Shore Channel facts for kids
The North Shore Channel is a special waterway, also known as a canal, located in Illinois. It was built a long time ago, between 1907 and 1910. Its main purpose was to help clean up the North Branch of the Chicago River. This was done by moving dirty water from the river into a bigger canal called the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.
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What is the North Shore Channel?
The North Shore Channel is a man-made river. It connects to the North Branch of the Chicago River. Think of it like a big ditch dug to move water from one place to another. This channel is about 8 miles (13 kilometers) long. It starts in Wilmette, Illinois, and flows south to Chicago.
Why Was It Built?
Over 100 years ago, the Chicago River was very polluted. It had a lot of sewage and waste in it. This was a big problem for the city's health. To solve this, engineers decided to build the North Shore Channel. Its job was to take the dirty water from the North Branch of the Chicago River. Then, it would send this water away from Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan is where Chicago gets its drinking water.
How Did It Work?
The channel helped to reverse the flow of the North Branch of the Chicago River. Instead of flowing into Lake Michigan, the water was sent south. It went into the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. This canal then carried the water far away from the city. This helped to keep Lake Michigan clean and safe for drinking.
The Channel Today
Today, the North Shore Channel still exists. However, its main job has changed. A huge underground system called the Chicago Deep Tunnel now handles most of the city's wastewater. This modern system collects sewage and storm water. It keeps it from flowing into the rivers.
What Happens During Heavy Rains?
Even with the Deep Tunnel, sometimes there's too much rain. When this happens, the Deep Tunnel system can get full. To prevent flooding, some water might still be released into the North Shore Channel. This means that occasionally, some dirty water can still flow through the channel. But it's much less often than in the past.
More Than Just a Drain
The North Shore Channel is no longer just for sewage. It is now also used for recreation. People enjoy boating, kayaking, and fishing on its waters. The areas along the channel have become green spaces. They offer places for people to walk, bike, and enjoy nature. It's an important part of the Chicago area's waterways.
