TIER ILLINOIS AND iNIICIIICAN CANAL eonneets Lake Michigan and the navigable waters of the Illinois Elver, and allows the passage of vessels from the Gulf of Mexieo to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence by using also the Welland Ca an I, which forms a navigable channel from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. In 1825 it was estimated that the canal, about 100 miles in length, would cost about $700.000. In 1833 new surveys and estimates were made placing the cost of a canal 40 feet wide and 4 feet deep at $4,043,000; but nothing definite was attempted till 1836, when the plan was altered and estimates were made for a canal 60 feet wide at the bottom, and 6 feet deep, costing $8,654,000, Work was com menced in June, IS:36. and continued until Mareh, 1841, when it was discontinued for want of available funds. In 1845 an additional $1,800, 000 was raised by the sale of lands owned by the canal. It must be here stated that in eonse (weave of a change of plans the entire cost fell within the estimates which had been made, so that at the opening of the eanal in April, 1848, the entire expenditure had been $6,170,226. When completed, the eastern terminus joined the south liraneli of the Chicago River, 5 miles from the mouth of the main stream. A direct line is
pursued to the valley of the Des Plaines, the main eastern branch of the Illinois 1Ziver, a dis tance of about S miles. The eanal then traverses the valley to the mouth of the River, a distance of 43 miles, passing through the towns of Lockport and Joliet, and receiving water front four feeders—the Calumet, Des Plaines, Dn Page, and Kankakee rivers. The canal now follows the valley of the Illinois River to its terminus, La Salle, passing through the towns of Morris and Ottawa, receiving water from Fox Meer; the whole length being 96 miles. TIll' \N";1 ICI' it La Salle is 145 feet lower than Lake :Michigan, and the descent is accomplished by means of 17 locks. varying in lift from to 10 feet. The locks are 110 feet long and IS feet wide, giving passage to boots of 150 tons.
Lake Michigan is also connected with the Mis sissippi by the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, completed in 1900. (See CHI( 'AGO DRAINAGE