Dresden Island Lock and Dam Historic District

What it is

The historic district covers about 23 acres beside the river. Its main parts are a spillway, an arched gravity dam, 18 headgates and nine Tainter gates. A stretch of earth fill ties the headgates to the Illinois & Michigan Canal's old embankment, so two eras of water transport meet here.

From end to end the structure runs about 1,320 feet, and the lock can raise or lower a boat by as much as 22 feet. The listing counts one building and three structures as contributing to its historic character.

A bit of history

Illinois began building the dam in 1928. Two years later the state had finished only about 35 percent of the job and had no money left to go on, so the federal government took over and completed it. The engineer behind the design was Walter Mickle Smith, and the work was done in 1933.

The complex was later recorded in the Historic American Engineering Record, a national archive of notable engineering works, and its National Register listing followed in 2004.

Visiting tips

Allow for a detour of about 8 miles from the old road. This is a working navigation structure, so view it from public areas and follow any posted signs. Half an hour is enough to take in the dam and the river. Nature lovers can add Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area, about 2.4 miles away, or Channahon State Park, about 3.3 miles off. Briscoe Mounds, an archaeological site, is about 3.4 miles away.