Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal

General data

Water type: River
Progression: Des Plaines -> Illinois River -> Mississippi River -> Gulf of Mexico -> Atlantic Ocean -> Planet Earth
Climates: Continental
Continents: North America
Countries: United States of America

Description

The Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, historically known as the Chicago Drainage Canal, is a 28-mile-long (45 km) canal system that connects the Chicago River to the Des Plaines River. It reverses the direction of the Main Stem and the South Branch of the Chicago River, which now flows out of Lake Michigan rather than into it. The related Calumet-Saganashkee Channel does the same for the Calumet River a short distance to the south, joining the Chicago canal about halfway along its route to the Des Plaines. The two provide the only navigation for ships between the Great Lakes Waterway and the Mississippi River system.

Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal

General data

Description

Rivers

Chicago river

Catches