The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-11-08
BY LEFTY LEE
Times Fishing Editor

at all gatherings OF SpOrLSmen,
1.-The reclamation of the Kankakee
y river is one subject that is certain
to crop up. The thought that this
famous spot may be put back in its
original state appeals to all who have
enjoyed themselves in asst years on
this World-famous stream.
With the opening OF the duck
hunting season this subject is fore
most in the minds of the veterans,
as it was a paradise for hunters
from all parts Of the world during
duck hunting seasons of days gone
by.
This column has been fortunate
in obtaining a report of a survey
made with the idea of retaining
part Of the famous old spot, and the
fact that this report is not tech
nical, should make it readily under
stood by all
The report was passed on to us to
put before the hunters and anglers
of the state, with the idea of prov
ing to them, that the plan to re-
claim the states most famous river,
outside Of song, is practical.
Forty Miles Surveyed
The survey made on Oct. u. 10
and IA of this year covers that por-
ton Of the Kankakee river living
between the west boundary of
Stake county, and the Indiana
Illinois line, a distance of about
forty miles.
1t was made to determine if it
would be practical to open inlets
and outlets Of the so-calIed land
locked bayouS, in order to let the
fish back in the main stream after
flood periods.
AS the old river was very crooked,
the new channel cuts it in many
places, making approximately fifty
Of these bayOuS in the forty miles
surveyed. Most of these on the
upper thirty miles have been cut off
from the main stream by the spoil
banks, which are about thirty feet
Nhick, and erosion has further filed
up the channels to an average dis
tance Of 500 feet.
Several of these never go dry and
1t would require a channel about
three feet deep to connect them
with the river. Others are higher
and 1t would be impractical to con-
meet them. Those on the lower ten
miles are more open and have water
to a good depth. even in dry
seasons.
A few miles east of Shelby, Chi
ago man has ATTEMPTED to restore
about 1000 acres and has obtained
good results. This has been done
by taking the water from the river
several miles upstream and bring
ing it on level, through a canal,
to the land which has been flooded.
Divided by Spoil Bank
The lower end of this tract is
divided from the river by a spoil
bank about thirty feet thick and on
the day Of this survey. The water on
the swamp side was four and one
half feet higher than the river
level. This would tend to show
that water can be impounded at
levels higher than the river, even
lllOuS11 bIlt odIlOy nature OF the SOIL
/ would make it seem otherwise.
This portion Of the old stream
winds through timber, trees have
fallen across it in many places.
giving an excellent picture of the
old river at its best. The natural
beauty of the old swamp and river
would make any one, even though
he be neither hunter nor fisherman.
wonder why the Kankakee has been
drained. From this small part of
the restored swamp, with its large
number of waterfowl, one can
easily understand why the old Kan
kakee attracted hunters.
This is the one remaining refuge
for waterfowl in the state. 1t
affords good fishing, and aboundS
with muskrat and other fur-bear-
ing ANIMALS. 1t is an excellent place
to see what the restoration of the
Kankakee would mean to the state,
not only in hunting and fishing, but
also the revenue that would be