Chicago River

The Chicago River is a 156-mile system of rivers and canals that runs through the city of Chicago, including its center. The river is notable for its natural and human-engineered history, and it has been reversed to flow away from Lake Michigan and into the Mississippi River watershed. The river has three branches, which serve as the inspiration for the Municipal Device, a three-branched, Y-shaped symbol found on many buildings and structures throughout Chicago. The river is home to various plants, animals, and ecology, and its geography is characterized by a mix of urban and suburban communities, forest preserves, and parks. Visitors can explore the river by taking scenic architectural boat tours or walking along the riverwalk