Ottawa Bridges & Dams
Once used as a means to get the Illinois and Michigan Canal over the river, the Fox River Aqueduct is used today as part of the I&M Canal State Trail. It spans more than 460 ft (140 m) across, making it the longest such structure of the five on the I&M Trail. The aqueduct is located on the west side of Ottawa, extending across the Fox River.
Illinois Waterway Visitor Center and Museum
Watch towboats make their way along the Illinois River during a visit to the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center. Inside the center, visitors can learn about the locks and dams that control the flow along the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Other exhibits focus on the construction of these structures. The facility is open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm, and is located between Utica and Ottawa on Route 1.
