Building the Canal to Save Chicago
Chapter 8 Photos
Joliet Project
June 30, 1899. The excavation of the tailrace channel in Section 16. This channel was much broader and had less depth than the Main Channel upstream of Lockport. As can be seen, the valley floor is wide. The Des Plaines River was rerouted in the tailrace channel to the west side of the valley floor for the first mile downstream of the end of the Main Channel. (MWRD photo, disc 9, image 10)
June 30, 1899. The wide and shallow tailrace channel at the Lockport Road Bridge. (MWRD photo, disc 9, image 12)
April 26, 1899. The construction of the new Des Plaines River channel in Section 17 north of Joliet. This would be part of the Upper Basin, an in-channel reservoir upstream of Dam No. 1. (MWRD photo, disc 12, image 1)
September 14, 1899. The excavation of the Des Plaines River channel in Section 17 looking north toward the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroad crossing. The river channel was made wider through this reach. (MWRD photo, disc 9, image 79)
The Des Plaines River on left and I&M Canal on right in Section 18, 1897. This view is looking south from the Cass Street Bridge with Jefferson Street Bridge and Guard Lock in the background. The Jefferson Street Bridge over the Des Plaines River is the original arch structure, soon to be replaced. (MWRD photo, disc 4126, image 73)
September 18, 1899. The excavation of the new Des Plaines River channel through Joliet in Section 18 looking north at the Jefferson Street Bridge. The original bridge arch structure is behind the temporary timber and truss bridge. The I&M Canal is hardly noticeable to the extreme left behind the wall separating it from the river channel. (MWRD photo, disc 13, image 5)
September 15, 1899. The excavation of the enlarged channel for the Des Plaines River in Section 18 looking north toward the Cass Street Bridge from the Jefferson Street Bridge. The I&M Canal parallels the river on the left behind the tree. The remnants of a low dam visible in the right foreground was removed in this reach. (MWRD photo, disc 13, image 6)
April 26, 1899. The I&M Canal in Section 18 looking north toward the Cass Street Bridge. The Des Plaines River is to the right, and the wall between the canal and river protects the canal from variations in river level. This view is from near the Jefferson Street Bridge and the Guard Lock. (MWRD photo, disc 11, image 95)
March 24, 1899. The reconstruction of the I&M Canal Lock No. 5 in Section 18. This view is looking upstream or north and the Des Plaines River is on the right. (MWRD photo, disc 8, image 69)
March 24, 1899. Construction of the tunnel used for emptying and filling Lock No. 5 on the I&M Canal in Section 18. Lock No. 5 and Dam No. 1 are adjacent to the Jackson Street Bridge. This view is looking south. The Des Plaines River is on the left. (MWRD photo, disc 8, image 77)
March 24, 1899. Work being performed to rebuild Lock No. 5 on the I&M Canal in Section 18. This view is looking northerly. The vertical wall on the extreme right is a pier for the Jackson Street Bridge. (MWRD photo, disc 8, image 76)
March 24, 1899. Work being performed to rebuild Lock No. 5 on the I&M Canal in Section 18. The Des Plaines River and original Dam No. 1 are shown behind the workers with the original powerhouse on the far side of the dam. (MWRD photo, disc 8, image 78)
April 26, 1899. The downstream, or south, end of the rebuilt Lock No. 5 on the I&M Canal in Section 18. The lock is immediately upstream of the Jackson Street Bridge shown in the top of the view. (MWRD photo, disc 11, image 97)
April 26, 1899. A tow in the rebuilt Lock No. 5 on the I&M Canal in Section 18. The upstream lock miter gates are open, the downstream lock miter gates are closed, and the tow in the lock appears to be headed north. The Des Plaines River is to the right. (MWRD photo, disc 5, image 2)
June 29, 1900. Work in progress on the construction of a new powerhouse in Section 17. Looking north, the Jackson Street Bridge crosses in the foreground, the tailrace channel of the new powerhouse is seen in the center, and the enlarged channel of the Des Plaines River is on the left. Construction of the new powerhouse began in 1899 and the enlarged river channel was completed prior to the end of 1899. (MWRD photo, disc 15, image 42)
June 29, 1900. The Jackson Street Bridge, the new powerhouse tailrace channel in the center foreground, and the enlarged channel of the Des Plaines River beyond the bridge. In the left center under the bridge is the nappe of the new Dam No. 1; turbulence of the Des Plaines River can be seen at the base of the dam. Jackson Street is the divide between Sections 17 and 18. The work upstream of the bridge is in Section 17. (MWRD photo, disc 15, image 41)
June 26, 1900. Construction of the new powerhouse upstream of Jackson Street in Section 17. From the Jackson Street Bridge looking northerly, the tailrace channel is on the right. When completed and in operation, Des Plaines River water will exit the arched draft tubes along the base of the powerhouse. (MWRD photo, disc 15, image 27)