. | Datum. | Water. |
| | | |
------------------------------+------------+-----------+-----------+
| | | |
| | ft. | ft. |
Lake Michigan | | | 4.7 |
Lake Joliet | 40 | 77 | 5 to 6 |
Kankakee River | 51.30 | 93.70 | 18 to 20 |
Morris | 61 | 100.3 | 21 |
Marseilles | 77 | 102.8 | 4 to 5 |
Ottawa | 84.5 | 132.1 | 26 |
La Salle | 100.3 | 146.6 | 28 |
Hennepin | 115.8 | 148.7 | 25 |
Peoria | 161.4 | 151.3 | 21 |
Mouth of the Illinois | 325 | 172.4 | 20 |
| | | |
------------------------------+------------+-----------+-----------+

The project in contemplation provides that the depth of the canal as
far as Lake Joliet (which is about six miles long) shall be not less
than 22 ft., and on to La Salle not less than 14 ft. at first, with
facilities to increase it to 22 ft. Beyond La Salle to the mouth of
the Illinois, dredging and flushing by the large volume of water
pouring in from Lake Michigan would make and maintain ultimately a
similar depth.

As it appears recognized that the sewage channel of Chicago must be 15
ft. deep, and as provision is now being made all over the great lake
system for vessels drawing 20 ft. of water, a comparatively small
additional outlay would provide for a channel available for the
largest lake vessels. It is claimed that by the co-operation of the
Chicago municipality and the general government--the latter to advance
a sum of not less than $50,000,000--a ship (and sanitary) canal 22 ft.
deep could be made from the lake to Joliet, extended thence to Utica,
20 ft. deep, and from there to the Mississippi, 14 ft. deep.

That such a work would vastly enhance the commerce, not only of
Chicago, but of the whole section of the country through which the
canal would pass, admits of but little doubt, and probably the outlay
would be justified by results similar to those achieved with other
great canal works and rec