Illinois River, the river primarily known for commercial fishing due to the presence of freshwater fish, benefits the people of the state in various ways.One of the most fascinating Illinois River facts happens to be that Lake Michigan and the Illinois River are connected through the Michigan canal flowing into the Mississippi River along with the Great Lakes. The Mississippi River is magical in itself, being the third-largest basin in the world, it is the second-longest river in North America, and happens to be the river where water-skiing was invented.The Illinois River forms an important waterway for the Chicago River and Great Lakes to join the Mississippi River. The Chicago River actually flows backward! The Illinois Waterway is a fascinating complex structure of 336 mi (541 km) of water that can be easily navigated.Falls, Dams And FlowsDid you know, the Mississippi River is home to about 25% of fish species in the entirety of North America! No wonder the Chicago River, Illinois River, and Lake Michigan have such a connection to it.The Illinois River, like any other river flowing in the United States/North America, has complex routes and canal systems which also connect to various other riversThere are a total of five dams on the Illinois River which are used for various purposes and they’re also used for controlling the flow. The sections of the river which lie between any two dams are known as navigation pools.The average depth of the Illinois River in many regions is only about 4 ft (1.2 m). There are certain parts of the Illinois River that are fun to swim in, like Oregon, but there are regions where you cannot swim due to bacteria contamination.One of the main reasons why the Illinois River is so important is due to it being an essential route between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. This was a primary route for early European traders as well as native Americans. Fishing is also a very important activity in the region, as the fish are an important source of income for the people who live in and around the region.Conserving Clean WaterOne of the most recognizable cities around the Illinois River region is Rock Island; the new name for this county/city is Arsenal Island.Water conservation is a top priority for people around the world. With scientists predicting wars in the near future due to the scarcity of water, it is of utmost importance for people living on this planet to step up and take charge in this fight. We need to find efficient ways to preserve the water that we have for our future generations as well.One of the reasons why the conservation of the Illinois River is so important is due to the fact that it is ranked 12th on a state-by-state list of the most polluted waterways. This is mainly due to the various discharges from sewers, chemicals, and untreated water from factories and stormwater.One of the major steps taken towards reform is the ‘Illinois River Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)’. The CREP gives farmers incentives to work towards improving the water of the Illinois River and restoring the land.CREP has four agendas that include:Reducing the amount of sedimentation and silt that enters the Illinois River by 20%.Reducing chemicals like nitrogen and phosphorus in the Illinois River by 10%.Increasing the population of various native creatures that have had to flee or have perished due to pollution.Increasing the stocks of native fish in the lower reaches of the River Illinois by 10%.Where does the Illinois River start and which state does it run through?The routes (portages) between Chicago and Des Plaines rivers and St. Joseph and Kankakee rivers allowed native dwellers to travel between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River.The Illinois River’s mouth happens to be the mighty Mississippi River. One of the most interesting things about the geology of the river happens to be the fact that it flows through a deep canyon that leads to rock formations.The Illinois River flows through the state of Illinois in the United States of America. The drainage basin of this river is spread out across an area of 28,756.6 sq mi (74,479 sq km) extending into Indiana.The river takes a western route, flowing across Northern Illinois. Near the region called Bureau County, the river turns south near an area called the Great Bend, flowing in a south-west direction across Western Illinois; a large section of Central Illinois is drained by the flow of the Illinois River. As it flows through south-western Illinois, it happens to run parallel to the Mississippi River.The river flows through Illinois, starting from the Mississippi River, and drains in Wisconsin, Indiana.Illinois River Studies And ResearchWe have discovered that the Illinois waterways are of extreme importance to the people who want to travel between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. The waterways contain different canals and routes that help in navigating around the river.The Illinois River traffic is perplexing; a variety of rules have to be followed if you wish to sail or boat on the river; often, only travel of 13 mi (20.8 km) is allowed at a time.A lot of research has have gone into the Illinois River. Various topics have been covered regarding this river, such as the study of its history and significance, the growth of unwanted substances and pollution, equipment required for the analysis of the river, the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water, the biochemical oxygen demand that affects the various organisms living in the region, as well as the various methods through which decomposition happens with the help of bacteria.Data on the Illinois River and its surrounding areas dates back to 1922. Through the years, modern methods have been developed in order to further studies.A lot of research has also gone into the organisms and aquatic animals inside the river. Any changes to the river adversely affect the creatures living beneath the river water. Studies have been undertaken regarding the food requirements as well as the various food cycles that exist within the Illinois River.Recent research on the river has mostly focused on the environmental aspects. As we know, the Illinois River happens to be very dirty and polluted which is why studies that provide us with methods to preserve the existing conditions, and reduce pollution, are necessary for the survival of the river.
Illinois River, the river primarily known for commercial fishing due to the presence of freshwater fish, benefits the people of the state in various ways.
