The Loop District in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Reversal of the Chicago River

Chicago River Reversal Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 14, 2025

1. Chicago River Reversal Marker

Inscription. The once sewage-polluted Chicago River was reversed in 1900 to protect the city's drinking water. Today the river is a treasured natural resource. Learn more about the efforts to improve water quality of the river system at MWRD.org.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 41° 53.225′ N, 87° 38.073′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. It is on Chicago Riverwalk west of the Wells Street Bridge. The marker is on a wooden pier in the Chicago River, next to the Riverwalk between Orleans Street and Wells Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60606, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the

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Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chicago Bridges (within shouting distance of this marker); Chicago River Fish Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Trustees System Service Building (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lake-Franklin Group (about 600 feet away); The Eastland Disaster (about 600 feet away); “Hubbard’s Folly” (about 600 feet away); Reid, Murdoch & Company Building (about 700 feet away); Wacker Drive (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. When spotted in April 2025, the marker had been splattered with something that made it hard to read.

Regarding The Reversal of the Chicago River. MWRD is the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, the public agency in charge of managing and treating the Chicago area's water supply.

Also see . . .
1. How Chicago Reversed Its River: An Animated History. From WTTW-11, Chicago's PBS station (Submitted on April 16, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. MWRD: A History of Protecting Our Water Supply.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 14, 2025

2. Chicago River Reversal Marker

The MWRD is the ancestor of the original Sanitary District of Chicago, which was created in 1889 to help clean up Chicago's water supply. (Submitted on April 16, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 149 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 16, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.