TREK on the Hennepin Canal 7-20-2014

On Sunday we drove down to the Visitors Center on the Main Section of the Hennepin Canal, we parked here and rode west heading for the Basin were water flows in from the Feeder Canal to supply the Canal in both directions, east to the Illinois River and west to the Mississippi River, it is down hill in both directions from the Basin.

We came to Interstate 80 first, where there are much needed repairs to the East Bound lane bridge.

Signs of deterioration of the West Bound lane bridge

Looking West near where Hickory Creek flows next to the Canal.

Looking West at the Basin from Bridge 17A, to the upper left is where the Canal flows West. The upper right is where the Feeder Canal flows into the Basin.

Heading back East, this shot shows how wide the Canal is at this point. Most of the Hennepin Canal is quite wide.

Bridge 16 looking East

This Cathedral of Cottonwoods frames the path nearing the Visitors Center, and the end of our ride today. It was a beautiful day for a ride.

Check out the Garmin Report of the ride at

Garmin Report

Happy 4th of July

We drove to Bridge 62 and rode south to check out the path, as long as we were this close we rode to the Basin (Feeder Junction) and then went west to Bridge 19 and Lock 22 and then back to our starting point.

Boat Ramp at Bridge 64

Restrooms at Bridge 64

Looking south from the north side of the Basin

 as the Feeder Canal empties into the Basin.

Looking east from the west edge of the basin at the 

passage tube under Bridge 17, the bright white spot near the center of the picture.

Go thru this tube and enter the eastern portion of the Main Canal and on to the Visitor Center 5 miles east.

The Walk Tube under bridge 17.

Looking west from Bridge 17 at the basin.

South edge of the Basin looking north at the point the feeder canal empties into the Basin to feed water to the east and west portions of the main canal.

 It is downhill in both directions (east and west) from here. West to the Mississippi and East to the Illinois River.

Instead of going east to the Visitors center today, 

we went west to Lock 22 and Bridge 19, this is the downstream lock gate and the Lift Bridge, Bridge 22.

This is the upstream gate on lock 22.

Looking west from Lift Bridge 19.

We posed on the Lift Bridge, before heading back east to the Basin and then north to our starting point. There is a beautiful well kept park here with Rest Rooms.

The path for the most part is in good condition here.

 Most of the Main Canal is better kept than the Feeder Canal, which is unfortunate because the Feeder is traveled more heavily, at least we see more activity on the Feeder Canal..

May 8, 2014

We are riding again, actually we rode the Silver Comet in Georgia, but not as much as we would have liked, weather and family commitments kept riding to a minimum. 

We had planned to ride Tunnel Hill in Southern Illinois on our way home, but weather was not good.o we missed that, we did ride the canal last week here at home. I was amazed that the Soft Shell turtles were out, I thought it was still a bit cold for them.

      Today we rode 12 miles on the canal. Still trying to get back in shape, even though we did ride on our trainers this winter, it is not the same as riding out doors. 

Check out the Garmin report attached here. Pictures later.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/495510380

7-3-14

Rode on the Canal south to Knief Road, tube under the road was flooded due to rain, so we turned back that is when I noticed my Garmin had come off its mount, luckily we found it 4 miles north by Buell Road.

Looking south from the Guard Lock

Guard Lock, the water level is down so the flow over the top of the opening on the gate is not as dramatic as yesterday.

Solo Ride on 7-2-14

I rode solo today because Weds is Judy's sewing day, it was  a beautiful day for a ride

The Rock is up from the recent storms, but hasn't peaked yet.

The lake above the dam.

Water spilling over the gate at the Guard Lock, I have never seen this before.

The condition of the path is deplorable after the recent storms, but the general lack of maintenance is get worse. 

West of Buehl Road the weds haven't been mowed all year and are starting to grow across the path, no wonder use of the path is declining. 

I see in the future the complete closure of the path, not just sections that are closed now. If the culvert south of Rock Falls that is leaking so bad as to more water on the west side of the canal than is in the creek on the east side collapses, the canal will go dry.  

With out money and manpower being directed to the Hennepin Canal, the future is bleak and our area will lose a valuable resource.