12 



EFFECT OF DRAINAGE CANAL ON ILLINOIS RIVER. 



The speculation as to what would be the result of turning: the water 

 of Lake Michigan through the drainage canal into the Illinois river 

 was wide spread, and wild statements were made as to what would be 

 the efPect. The efforts of parties to obtain an injunction against it, and 

 the newspaper comments are matters with which the public are famil- 

 iar. Anticipating such criticism, we, together with Prof. S. A. Forbes 

 of the State University, made a trip over the river on the steamer 

 Reindeer, taking samples of the water of the river at short intervals 

 which were tested analytically, so that we might be prepared to note 

 the results following the opening of the canal. 



Tests of the water after the introduction of the lake water have 

 shown an improvement rather than deterioration as a result. Opin- 

 ions as to the question whether as a whole the valley has been bene- 

 fited as regards navigation, etc., differ, but with this question, we as 

 fish commissioners have but little to do. On the fishing industry it 

 has had a temporarily unfavorable result, but it will be only tempo- 

 rary, as the ultimate outcome can only be good and increase the sup- 

 ply. The water has maintained an unusual height during the sum- 

 mer months, so much so that it has been difficult to use seines during 

 the summer in the river itself. To use the fishermen's parlance "the 

 fish were out in the woods." 



The output of carp and buffalo has been reduced to some extent, 

 but as the area of breeding ground has been naturally increased we 

 can bat believe that the future will show a very large increase in the 

 production. The high water has enabled the gamier varieties to de- 

 posit Iheir spawn, rear their young and go out into deep water, thus 

 avoiding the very large loss of fish which were formerly stranded and 

 perished in the shallow ponds. We believe the increase in the game 

 fishes will show up large the coming season. 



We have had ample opportunity of giving the matter close obser- 

 vation, from the frequent trips made over the river, and feel sure that 

 the introduction of the water from Lake Michigan has been of mater- 

 ial benefit, and in no sense detrimental to the interest we represent. 



We are inclined to think that, from a sanitary standpoint, the river 

 itself has been benefited, but doubt whether or not the localities di- 

 rectly connected with the canal itself have been or will be gainers by 

 the opening of the canal. Our reasons, however, are only the result 

 of personal observation, and could not in anj'' sense be taken as valid 

 against scientific examination and testimony. That the river can be 

 polluted by turning into it the refuse of sewers and manufacturing 

 establishments there can be no doubt, but that it may escape reason- 

 ably pure where no obstructions to a free flow exist, and a current 

 more or less rapid is maintained after the river is reached we know 

 by experience and thorough tests. 



On the whole, as before stated, the introduction of lake water 

 through the canal into the Illinois river has not hurt the fish in- 

 terests further than temporarily reducing the catch of fish. 



