Chicago River

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DESCRIPTION/PHYSICAL FEATURES

The Chicago River is 156 miles long and at its deepest point it is 26 feet deep. The Chicago River also flows into Lake Michigan. The appearance of the water varies from muddy to clear.

HOW IT GOT ITS NAME:

The Chicago River got its name from running through Chicago. Chicago got its name from the Potawatomi Indian word for stinky onion since "stinky onions" grew in that area.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION:

In 1900, the flow of the Chicago River was reversed so the sewage would not flow into the lake. Also in 1979, The Friends of the Chicago River organization was founded.

KNOWN FOR:

The Chicago River is known for being dyed green on St. Patrick's Day. It's also the only river in the world that flows backward.

WILDLIFE:

Some of the wildlife that lives in and around the river is turtles, horned owls, goldfish, bass, sunfish, trout, warblers, kingfishers, salmon, and ducks.

TOURIST INFORMATION:

If you were to go to the Chicago River, you can go boating, canoeing, fishing, paddle boating, and motor boating.

OTHER INTERESTING FACTS:

The Chicago River is, at its widest point, 809 feet across. 52,000 vessels pass through each year and it has 52 moveable bridges (most in the world)

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

I got a lot of my information from: http://www.chicagoriver.org/river/facts.asp