Cleaner than the Chicago...much, much cleaner

Peter Horgan does water testing on our reach of the Milwaukee River, above the Estabrook Dam. He, at one of our Milwaukee River Preservation Association meetings, addressed the cleanliness of the river- he did 75 water tests in 2008; 50 tests were “swimmable.” Transparency was also measured and transparency of up to a meter was noted in 2008. He extrapolates that in a few years the River may be consistently swimmable.

Compare that to this sign that I photographed on the banks of the Chicago River in October, 2007- on a nice, deep stretch, perfect for paddling, except...