Illinois River

This article is about the river in the U.S. state of Illinois. For other rivers with this name see Illinois River (disambiguation).

Modern use

From 1905 to 1915, more freshwater fish were harvested from the Illinois than from any other river in the United States except for the Columbia River. The river was once a major source of mussels for the shell button industry. Overfishing, habitat loss and pollution have eliminated most commercial fishing except for a small mussel harvest to provide shells to seed pearl oysters overseas. The river is still an important sports fishing resource.

Related Topics:
1905 - 1915 - Columbia River - Mussel - Overfishing - Pearl

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The Illinois forms part of a modern waterway that connects the Great Lakes at Chicago, Illinois to the Mississippi River. The waterway was originally established by the building of the Illinois and Michigan Canal which connected the Illinois River to the Chicago River. When the Chicago River was later reversed, the pollution and sewage of the city of Chicago flowed down into the Illinois River. The Illinois and Michigan Canal has since been replaced by the Illinois Waterway including the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The river is controlled by five lock and dams to facilitate river traffic. The waterway is heavily trafficked by barges transporting bulk goods such as grain and oil.

Related Topics:
Great Lakes - Chicago, Illinois - Illinois and Michigan Canal - Chicago River - Illinois Waterway - Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal

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