One of our top stories last year was how the Illinois and Michigan Canal re-watering project didn’t turn out so well. One of our top stories this year is how it’s been repaired. Ottawa Canal Association President Arnie Bandstra says city personnel had to learn how to prevent the swampy conditions. For example, cattails don’t just go away when you flood the space they’re growing in. In the canal last year, they thrived.
There was some re-engineering to keep the water moving so algae doesn’t grow. And a leak in the wall along the walkway needed repaired. Bandstra says it’s great to see people with kayaks and radio controlled boats using the canal.
He talked about it last week with Jay LeSeure on WCMY.
The re-watered part of the Illinois and Michigan Canal wasn’t supposed to look swampy, but it did in 2021.