Earth Day Flashback:
Boating on the Chicago River- THEN and NOW
Courtesy of Building Chicago on WordPress.com
(Courtesy: Great Rivers Chicago.com)
Officially started in 1970, Earth Day reminds us to renew our environmental commitments to the planet and our city. Chicago has always been at the forefront of Earth Day protection efforts. One of the 1st pro-enviorment rallies was held in Chicago. Chicago Electric Boat Company was built on a strong eco-friendly foundation. Our Retro, Cycle, Pontoons, Donut & Duffy boats are electrically powered, resulting in no added pollutants to the water and air.
This Earth Day 2022, let’s focus on the city’s second shoreline, the Chicago River. Our city was founded on its riverbanks and it still remains at the very heart of our history. It meanders through and connects the communities of our city – from downtown to Chinatown. Today, the river is thriving with wildlife and botanical wonders that can be observed via its network of parks, pathways, and bike trails. Along its shorelines, are examples of beautiful architectural achievements. Boating on the river offers an exclusive and unique perspective, unattainable anywhere else. In addition to these recreational activities, there are many entertainment options offered as well along the river.
In 2014, Chicago’s former mayor, Richard M. Daley once envisioned that the river would become a “growing centerpiece and asset to the community as Chicago’s 2nd shoreline”. He continued to state, “ someday people could fish and swim along its banks.”
For over 100 years, there was always more focus and attention on the lakefront than on the river. The river was neglected. It was heavily trafficked with transportation vessels. Thick smoke from these ships blocked the sunlight and literally choked the life out of the area. To accommodate this massive onslaught of ships, hundreds of air and water-polluting factories sprung up along the river. Toxic chemicals and wastes poured relentlessly into the river. The stockyards of the city dumped used animal carcasses into the water. These dangerous conditions gave rise to several epidemics of cholera, typhoid disease, and several other deadly and contagious waterborne diseases that ravaged the city.
Today, after over 52 years of enacting Earth-Day driven initiatives such as The Clean Water Act of 1972; Clean Air Act of 1970; The Water Quality Improvement Act; Endangered Species Act, and The Toxic Substances Control Act,
our river is cleaner than it has been in over 100 years. Significant efforts have been implemented to store and treat the city’s wastewater. Today, over 70% of the river water has been treated. Massive tunnels have been built to store an overabundance of water that comes from storms and run-offs. These tunnels keep the water separated until it can be treated. Additionally, there was a myriad of other engineering feats executed to produce these results. Most significantly, the reversal of the river’s flow in 1887, allowed a foundation for river flow where wastewater dies not flow into the lake.
Biodiversity has returned bringing wildlife and vegetation along. Commonly seen animals consist of: rabbits; deer foxes; coyotes; box turtles; bullfrogs; salamanders; bats; skunks and beavers. Look up in the air or in the grasses and you may spot: falcons; bald eagles; herons; sand cranes; owls and perhaps even a wild turkey! In 1970 there were 10 species of fish swimming in the river. Today there are over 70 species.
Most of Mayor Daily’s aspirations and goals for the river have come about including it becoming: a “centerpiece of the city” and “Chicago’s 2nd shoreline”. Regretfully, the process of allowing public swimming has not materialized. However, based on the miraculous metamorphoses of the river so far, there seems to be a substantial likelihood of this occurring in the future.
We reaffirm and dedicate our business to searching out and implementing better environmentally friendly boats that enable us to reduce our company’s carbon footprint and environmental impact on the River and city. We invite you to join us in this commitment to the health of the world and the happiness of mankind.
