Calumet River

LOOKING NORTH AT MAIN SPAN, FROM 100TH STREET BRIDGE

The Calumet River is a system of rivers and canals in northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana, which drains into Lake Michigan. The river is an important part of the Chicago Area Waterway System and has played a significant role in the industrial development of the region.

Geography

The Calumet River system includes the Little Calumet River, the Grand Calumet River, and the Cal-Sag Channel. The river flows through the Calumet Region, an area known for its heavy industrialization and significant environmental challenges.

Little Calumet River

The Little Calumet River flows westward from Porter County, Indiana, through Lake County, Indiana, and into Cook County, Illinois. It eventually joins the Cal-Sag Channel.

Grand Calumet River

The Grand Calumet River flows eastward from the Illinois-Indiana border through Lake County, Indiana, and into Gary, Indiana. It is heavily industrialized and has been the focus of numerous environmental cleanup efforts.

Cal-Sag Channel

The Cal-Sag Channel (Calumet-Saganashkee Channel) connects the Little Calumet River to the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, providing a navigable waterway for commercial shipping.

History

The Calumet River has been a vital waterway for the Native American tribes in the region, including the Potawatomi and Miami people. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the river became a crucial part of the industrial infrastructure of the Chicago metropolitan area, supporting steel mills, manufacturing plants, and other heavy industries.

Environmental Issues

The Calumet River has faced significant environmental challenges due to industrial pollution. Efforts to clean up the river have included the removal of contaminated sediments and the restoration of natural habitats. The river is part of the Great Lakes Areas of Concern program, which aims to address environmental degradation in the Great Lakes Basin.

Recreation

Despite its industrial past, the Calumet River offers recreational opportunities such as boating, fishing, and bird watching. The river is also part of the Calumet Heritage Area, which seeks to promote the natural, cultural, and historical resources of the region.

See also

• Chicago River
• Des Plaines River
• Illinois River
• Lake Michigan
• Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal