ieee a Ue Db rOFNG BYU Lek Eve N ¢ 
Let’s Save the Hennepin Canal 
By RAYMOND MOSTEK 
WITHIN A FOUR-HOUR drive of Chicago lies a relatively unknown body of 
water, the Illinois-Mississippi Canal — often referred to as the Hennepin 
Canal. It was built by the Army Engineers Corps about 45 years ago, and 
for a time served as a “short cut” to the Mississippi waterway. The canal 
has an average depth of seven feet and a shore line of 104 miles. Traffic 
over this route has declined steadily through the years. 
In June of 1951, the Army Engineers announced that the canal would 
no longer be used for navigation. In response to strong pressure from 
conservationists, the Illinois Legislature adopted a resolution urging that 
the canal and its shoreline be set aside for a State Park or similar pur- 
poses. Unless a state or national agency takes over the maintenance of the 
canal, the Army Engineers declare that they will remove the locks and 
drain the channel, thus destroying it as a body of water. 
The State Conservation Department would welcome efforts to make the 
Hennepin Canal into a State Park. The Legislature apparently is also 
interested. However, those who would benefit most — the people of Illinois 
— for the most part are unaware that such a canal and possible recrea- 
tional area exist. There are many financial and technical problems to be 
solved, but given the will and the necessary enthusiasm, this area can be 
saved. 
Much is to be said in favor of creating a Hennepin Canal State Park. 
Illinois has lagged in setting aside sufficient recreational area to satisfy 
its millions of outdoors-loving citizens. Large tracts such as the Hennepin 
Canal shoreline are becoming increasingly scarce. Pennies spent in keeping 
physical and mental health through outdoor recreation are far better 
spent than dollars used to regain health in hospitals and institutions. And 
the value of the fish and wildlife disappearing from the face of this country 
can not be measured in dollars. 
The Hennepin Canal already provides swimming, fishing and boating 
pleasure for thousands of residents in its vicinity. Its possibilities for 
wider use are indeed great. Will we have the energy and the foresight to 
save it? 8345 N. Harding Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 
ft ft i 
Distribution List of Illinois Birds 
President Harry Smith reports that work is progressing steadily on 
“The Distribution List of the Birds of Illinois.” This booklet is to be pub- 
lished jointly by the Illinois Audubon Society and the Illinois State 
Museum in Springfield. So far, records have been received from all but two 
areas, and the work of compiling and typing the great mass of data has 
already begun. Copies should be ready for sale and distribution during the 
coming year. 
