Lake Calumet

Lake Calumet
Aerial shot of Lake Calumet
Aerial shot of Lake Calumet
Location of Lake Calumet in Illinois, USA.
Location of Lake Calumet in Illinois, USA.
Lake Calumet
Location of Lake Calumet in Illinois, USA.
Location of Lake Calumet in Illinois, USA.
Lake Calumet
Location of Lake Calumet in Illinois, USA.
Location of Lake Calumet in Illinois, USA.
Lake Calumet
LocationChicago, Illinois
Coordinates41°40′48″N 87°35′24″W / 41.68000°N 87.59000°W / 41.68000; -87.59000
Primary outflowsDes Plaines River
Basin countriesUnited States

Lake Calumet is the largest body of water within the city of Chicago. Formerly a shallow, postglacial lake draining into Lake Michigan, it was transformed into an industrial harbor during the 20th century.[1] Parts of the lake have been dredged, and other parts reshaped by landfill. Following the completion of the Cal-Sag Channel in 1922, which reversed the flow of the Calumet River, the lake drains into the Des Plaines River via the channel instead of Lake Michigan.

Calumet is a Norman word used since the 17th century by French colonists in Canada for the ceremonial pipes they saw used by First Nations peoples.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Wttw2016-10-19 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).