Chicago River Now Hosts 3000 Sq Feet Floating Wetlands to Boost Biodiversity

3000 sq feet of floating wetland are riding the Chicago River to boost biodiversity. Urban Rivers and Shedd Aquarium worked together to complete the project.

The South Branch of the Chicago River has floating wetlands installed to draw local wildlife to a formerly industrial section of the waterway on the Lower West Side.

3000 Sq Feet Archipelago

According to a statement from Shedd Aquarium officials, the new archipelago forming more than 3,000 sq feet of floating wetlands is located where the Chicago River meets Bubbly Creek close to Bridgeport.

Officials said that A wide variety of native plant species can be found in the new habitat, which will help to improve water quality, create new habitats below and above the water's surface, and secure nutrients for nearby wildlife.

Gases from tons of animal carcasses that were dumped there from the nearby Union Stockyards, shut down in 1971, for decades bubbled to the surface, earning Bubbly Creek its nickname.

Team Effort

According to the officials, the floating wetlands will also improve the river's appeal for outdoor pursuits like birding and kayaking.

Shedd and Urban Rivers collaborated with volunteers and neighborhood organizations to construct and install the floating wetlands in the river.

The Chicago River's South Branch habitat restoration project received $1 million in federal funding this year.

Staff from Shedd said at the time that in addition to the floating wetlands, funds would be used to monitor fish populations and enhance breeding habitats.

According to officials, Shedd staff see the region as a hotspot for biodiversity that can be strengthened.

The officials also pointed out that this initiative is part of an ongoing commitment to increase public access to nature and link Chicagoans to the Chicago River ecosystem to foster a community committed to its restoration and protection.

Additionally, Urban Rivers is in the process of converting a mile of the North Branch of the Chicago River into Wild Mile Chicago, an "eco-park."

The park would be built along the waterway on Goose Island's east side between Chicago and North Avenues, adding new wildlife as well as recreational and educational features, Chicago Sun Times reported..

Previous Progress

According to Shedd Aquarium, in the past, the Chicago River south branch was developed to meet the demands of business, transportation, and private interests.

As a result, there aren't as many diverse habitat types, which are essential for the well-being and stability of river ecosystems.

However, Shedd, Urban Rivers, and other environmental groups have determined that this area has significant ecological potential.

According to preliminary research, there is a wide variety of aquatic life, and Shedd's team believes that the area has the potential to become a biodiversity hotspot.

The project's initial phase, which consists of a floating platform, gardens, and walkway, was finished in June.

Nick Wesley, the executive director of Urban Rivers, said that the floating park will be extended in later phases of the project to cover a stretch of about one mile from North Avenue to Halsted Street.

A nonprofit organization called Urban Rivers works to turn urban rivers into sanctuaries.

Westley added that the idea was to turn an industrialized canal into a park that prioritizes wildlife by utilizing the existing architecture, Block Club Chicago reported.