Lat / Long:  41^o 53' 18" N, 87^o 38' 30" W

NOAA Charts:  14926, 14927 & 14928

Description:  The Chicago River serves as a vital transport link between Lake Michigan and the Illinois Waterway. Federal responsibility for improving navigation on the river began in 1899. By 1941, the river was transformed into its present configuration. The Chicago District's portion of the project  consists of the main and north branches of the river which includes a 21 feet deep navigation channel from Rush Street to North Avenue. The south branch of the Chicago River is maintained by the Rock Island District Corps of Engineers It consists of a 9 feet deep navigation channel that is connected to the Illinois Waterway by the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Principle commodities transported on the river consist of sand, gravel, crushed rock, scrap iron, fuel oil, coal and non-metallic minerals.   

Navigation Depths:  The above depths are the authorized navigation depths for the project and are referenced to Low Water Datum 1985. The actual navigation depths may vary due to fluctuations in the level of the river and the occurrence of shoaling within the navigation channel. This project was last surveyed in July 1992. Copies of this survey can be obtained by contacting the: