Riding on the Hennepin Canal 7-29-12

Today was Judy's birthday and we decided to ride from south of Wyanet, IL to the Illinois river on the Hennepin Canal. Unfortunately we were to learn that you can't ride to the Illinois River as the trail stops at lock # 2, we never saw the river or lock # 1 which was 1.3 miles further to the east. This portion of the canal is in poorer shape, and had evidentially deteriorated to a much more advanced state before preservation was undertaken.This area is known in the past to have breakouts in the banks and 2 aqueducts no longer exist, only the remains of those Aqueducts. In the areas where the Aqueducts are gone, they use what is called a Inverted siphon to get the water from west of the break to the canal on the east side of the break. Water flows into a chamber on the upstream side is carried underground below the ground level and then rises up on the down stream side to re-enter the canal. The concrete in the locks also looks like it was not as good of quality as that used west of here.This section has a total of 13 locks and 7 bridges, one bridge no longer exists and wasn't replaced , only the approach walls still remain, that was bridge #2

Looking east from Lock 2, Lock 1 is a mile east of here and 1.3 miles east is the Illinois River, This is where the trail ends.

Lock 2 from the east

Culvert showing at up stream side of Lock #2, 

the culvert allowed water to flow into the lock, 

so that water flowed down stream when the gate was closed. 

In most locks this culvert is not visible because the water level is

high enough to cover it. The water in this lock is low all the time as the canal is ending its journey and the river ahead isn't that much lower.

 It would be nice to see Lock # 1 and see its layout.

Lock 2 looking west

Before Rail Road Bridge # 1 Bank repairs, difficult and dangerous to maneuver,

 walk your bike here. Rail Road Bridge # 1 in background

Rail Road Bridge 1

 Bridge 1, Rte 26& 29 south of Bureau Junction, IL

Lock 3 from the North bank

Lock 3

Lock 3 looking east to Bridge 1

Lock 4 looking east

Lock 4 west end blocked off, because Aqueduct # 1 has collapsed and is gone

This is the bridge over where Aqueduct # 1 used to be.

Looking north from the Aqueduct #1Bridge

Looking south from the Aqueduct #1 Bridge

Coming up on I-180 Bridge #1B

Lock 5 from the east

 Lock 5 looking east

Lock 5 spillway

Lock 5 upstream depth markings, double click to see better 

Coming up on bridge 3 from the east

Bridge 3 looking east

Bridge 3 looking west

Rail Road Bridge #2 from the east

Rail Road Bridge #2 looking east

Lock 6 looking east at RR Bridge #2

Looking west in lock 6

Lock 6 Spillway

Looking west from Lock 6

                                                                     Lock 7 from the east

Looking east from Lock 7

Lock 7 spillway

Coming up on Bridge 4 from the east

 Bridge 4 looking east

  Bridge 4 looking west

Coming up on Lock 8 from the east

 Lock 8 looking east

 Lock 8 looking west at Lock 9

 Lock 9

 Lock 9 looking east

Looking west from Lock 9

Bridge # 5 from the east

Bridge # 5 looking east

Bridge # 5 looking west

Lock 10 from the east

Lock 10 looking east

Lock 10 looking west

Coming up on Bridge 6 from the east

Coming up on Lock 11

Looking east out of Lock 11 bridge 6 is visible in the distance

Looking west from Lock 11 at Bridge 6 A

Bridge 6 A looking west

Lock 12 looking east

Lock 12 remains in Gate area

Just west of Lock 12 is the remains of Aqueduct #2, the large slabs to the left of the picture are the sides of the Aqueduct.

 This is the bridge that goes over the location where Aqueduct # 2 used to be

Coming up on Lock 13 from the east

 Lock 13 looking west

Back to Bridge # 7 where todays ride started.