Hennepin Canal - Illinois, USA

Photo courtesy of Princeton Chamber of Commerce, 435 South Main St, Princeton IL 61356 (815) 875-2616.

man-made channel connects the Illinois River with the Mississippi River
shortened the distance for river travel by nearly 500 miles
discussions of joining the two rivers date from 1834
construction began in 1890
construction of eastern main line began in 1894
completed in 1907
canal was 155 miles long
33 original locks - the first on the Illinois River has been under water for 50 years
14 of the locks had unique Marshall gates - 5 restored to working condition
9 original aqueducts - only 6 remain.
21 locks required for 196-foot climb from the river to the west of Wyanet
cheaper railway transport soon made barge traffic obsolete
listed on National Historic Register

Overseer's house: north of Sheffield, Bureau County, IL
Canal feeder: joins main line between Sheffield and Mineral, Bureau County, IL; runs from the Rock River in Whiteside County to the main canal
Lock 22 - girder lift bridge: Bureau County, IL
Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park Museum: near Sheffield, Bureau County, IL

Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park, Sheffield, Illinois
104.5 miles long
5773 acres
main canal - east to west spans Bureau, Henry, and Rock Island Counties. In Rock Island County, the canal follows the same channel as the Rock River. [see map below]
Hennepin Feeder Canal runs south from the Rock River in Whiteside County to the main canal in Bureau County. [see map below]
biking, hiking, horse trails
boating, canoeing, fishing, hunting
nature preserve