Des Plaines River

Des Plaines River. The Des Plaines River is a significant waterway flowing through southeastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois in the Midwestern United States. It originates in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, and travels south for approximately 133 miles before merging with the Kankakee River near Channahon to form the Illinois River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River. The river's course traverses a densely populated region, including the Chicago metropolitan area, and plays a crucial role in regional hydrology, history, and recreation.

Course and geography

The river begins near the community of Union Grove in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. It flows generally southward, crossing into Lake County, Illinois, and passing through or near communities such as Wadsworth, Gurnee, and Libertyville. The river's path is closely paralleled by Interstate 294 and the Tri-State Tollway through much of Cook County. A notable feature is its confluence with the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Lockport, which historically reversed the flow of the Chicago River to protect Lake Michigan drinking water. The final segment runs through the Cook County Forest Preserves and the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie before joining the Kankakee River.

History

The river's name is derived from the French *Rivière des Plaines*, likely referencing the Plains Indians or the region's wooded plains. For centuries, it served as a vital transportation corridor for Native American tribes, including the Potawatomi, Miami, and Illinois Confederation. French explorers like Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet utilized the river during their 17th-century expeditions. In the 19th century, the river became integral to the Illinois and Michigan Canal project, linking the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River system. The construction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in 1900 permanently altered its hydrology. The river also marks the approximate route of Portage Trail used by early travelers between the Des Plaines River watershed and the Chicago River.

Ecology and environment

The river's floodplain supports diverse habitats, including floodplain forest, wetland, and tallgrass prairie remnants. It is home to various fish species like smallmouth bass and channel catfish, and provides habitat for wildlife such as white-tailed deer, great blue heron, and the state-endangered blanding's turtle. Significant environmental efforts focus on mitigating urban runoff and combined sewer overflows from the Chicago area. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County and the Lake County Forest Preserves manage extensive natural areas along its banks for conservation. The river's water quality is monitored as part of the Illinois River system, with ongoing restoration projects aimed at improving riparian zone health.

Recreation and parks

A extensive network of multi-use trails, notably the Des Plaines River Trail, runs along much of the river's length through Lake and Cook counties. Major recreational sites include the Des Plaines River Fish and Wildlife Area, Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville, and Ryerson Conservation Area. The river is popular for canoeing and kayaking, with accessible stretches near Wadsworth and Lemont. Annual events like the Des Plaines River Canoe & Kayak Marathon draw participants from across the region. Numerous forest preserves, such as Busse Woods and Deer Grove Forest Preserve, offer river access for fishing, birdwatching, and hiking.

Infrastructure and management

The river is a key component of the Chicago Area Waterway System, which includes the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and the Calumet-Sag Channel. Water levels and flow are managed by structures operated by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Lockport Lock and Dam and the Brandon Road Lock and Dam are critical for navigation and flood control. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources oversees fisheries management and conservation areas. Major flood control projects have been implemented following significant events like the Great Flood of 1987. The river's watershed is managed through intergovernmental agreements involving entities like the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission.

Category:Rivers of Illinois Category:Rivers of Wisconsin Category:Tributaries of the Illinois River Category:Chicago metropolitan area