Chicago Stories

Race to Reverse The  River

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Race to Reverse The River

From its earliest days, Chicago residents and businesses alike dumped their waste directly into the Chicago River, which flowed into Lake Michigan and contaminated the city’s drinking water. Engineers including Ellis Chesborough tried various bold methods to deal with this deadly health crisis, finally arriving at an ingenious solution: reversing the flow of the river away from the lake. This amazing feat of engineering solved one problem, but as Chicago Stories reveals, it created others that are felt to this day. Audio-narrated descriptions of key visual elements are available.

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