npr.org
MPC's Josh Ellis on the Chicago River
A century ago, the Chicago region was suffering from a health epidemic. Untreated sewage and runoff flowed from the Chicago River into Lake Michigan, polluting people’s primary water source. The innovative solution at the time was to reverse the flow of the Chicago River, lock up Lake Michigan, and send our waste through a system of canals down to the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. By preventing widespread illness and providing businesses with direct access to the Mississippi, metropolitan Chicago was able to grow and flourish.
Today, the wisdom of our forefathers’ decision to reverse the river is being questioned. Last week, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) added their respected opinion to the mix by issuing a report which recommends permanent separation of the Great Lakes from the Mississippi River. The NRDC report highlights the dangers that Asian carp and other invasive species pose to the multibillion dollar fishing industry, as well as the many possible solutions that have been floated.
MPC has been at the center of this growing debate, made even more urgent by a lawsuit filed by Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin to close Chicago-area shipping locks to prevent Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan. Closing arguments were heard in October and there should be a ruling in November. MPC’s water guru Josh Ellis has been featured in two stories, on National Public Radio and in the New York Times, urging thoughtful consideration of all the potential implications of reversal. The Chicago River is a potential avenue for invasive species to enter Lake Michigan, but it is also part transportation corridor, part economic engine, part recreation asset, all of which need to be balanced.
There is a growing appreciation that our region’s waterways – from the Chicago River to the Fox River, Lake Michigan to underground aquifers – are valuable in many ways. As we expand efforts to ensure our region has enough clean water to serve existing and future residents and businesses, MPC and our partner, Openlands, have launched What Our Water’s Worth (WOWW), a multiyear, multimedia communications campaign about the value of water in our region. Monthly e‑newsletters and the web site Chicagolandh2o.org, will explore water’s value to us through stories and video interviews featuring ordinary and remarkable people across our region; data and an interactive map explaining where our water comes from; and conservation tips and resources for responsible water use. Please take a look and then let us know how we get this information out to others!