Originally published in 1912, this report from the Chicago Sanitary District Board of Trustees provides a detailed examination of the Illinois River and its use as a commercial waterway. The report includes analysis of the river's physical properties, such as geography and hydrology, as well as an evaluation of the navigation dams that were constructed to aid in transportation. A supplementary section provides information on the Sanitary and Ship Canal of Chicago and its impact on the regional water system. The report is a valuable resource for engineers, urban planners, and anyone interested in the history and management of freshwater resources. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.