Monday, July 30, 2012

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.

























1 comment:

  1. Great information. Appreciate your efforts. Please connect on facebook at www.Facebook.com/Dave Druen
    Www.Facebook.com/Hennepin Feeder Canal
    Please post and share any info or pics with us of the Hennepin Canal.

    ReplyDelete