A victim is carried up the SS Eastland as the steamship lies on its side in the Chicago River after rolling over. More than 800 drowned on July 24, 1915. (Chicago Tribune historical photo) 1915: The ...

Early Sunday morning, spectators jostled for a glimpse of the Chicago River to witness something that hadn’t happened there in nearly a century. People were swimming in it. In the heart of the Loop ...

More than 100 years ago, Chicago became home to an engineering feat: The flow of the Chicago River was reversed, diverting sewage from flowing into Lake Michigan, the city’s source of drinking water.

CHICAGO (WGN) – Want to swim in the Chicago River? Now’s your chance! The Chicago River Swim (CRS) is officially coming back in September and will be held on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 7 to 10 a.m. The ...

Raises $150,000 to support ALS research and youth swim education CHICAGO, Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago River Swim returned on Sunday, September 21, for the first time in 98 years, ...

Hundreds of swimmers will dive into the first open water swim in the Chicago River in almost a century this fall. The landmark event, set for Sept. 21, will celebrate the city's environmental progress ...

“Come and show me another city with lifted head singing so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning.” — Carl Sandburg, “Chicago” Chicago is not just a big city. It’s a big deal. It is a ...

For the first time in almost a century, hundreds of swimmers will jump into the Chicago River for an open water swim on Sunday. The Chicago River Swim kicks off with an opening ceremony at 6:30 a.m.

CHICAGO — The return of warm summer weather means residents and guests visiting the city can finally hit the water, especially those looking to do a bit more than just swim. While paddle craft, like ...

A new study by the Shedd Aquarium has found that the Chicago River system continues to recover from pollution, as evidenced by the fish species that have been spawning in the river system. A report on ...

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