Chicago and Bridge Clearance

I'm confused with the info I'm receiving on bridge clearance on the Chicago River and would appreciate some clarification.

I've heard that there's this Lockport Pool reference of 576.2 which matches up with the posted height of the bridge. Meaning that if the pool is at this level, then the 20 ft bridge has 20 ft clearance.

Then there's reference to a 2 foot correction which is very confusing and the river gage, equally confusing. And then there's the reference of up stream or down stream, and I have no clue which is which.

Seems like if the Chicago River flows backward down the Mississippi, at some point someone has to add water to the river to reverse the flow.

However, bottom line, how can I be SURE that I'll clear the lowest bridge on the Chicago River, at 17 feet. My air height is 16'4".

You should be able to contact the lock that lowers you from lake Michigan into the Chicago river and ask them for the water level in the pool below the lock.

Ted

O C Diver said:

You should be able to contact the lock that lowers you from lake Michigan into the Chicago river and ask them for the water level in the pool below the lock.

Ted

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Ted, so what will that tell me? And how would I use that to be sure I'd clear the 17 ft bridge?

Thx

There should be a height for the bridge based on a normal water level (don't know the correct term). The lock will have a water level scale for both Lake Michigan and the Chicago river. Typically a lock will tell you how much of a rise or drop to expect when locking. The scale on the Chicago river side should be referenced to the "normal water level ". So, if you ask the lock operator the water lever of the Chicago river, he will likely answer in inches above or below normal. Then you need to reference that to the low bridge. So, if he says the river level is 6" below normal, bridge clearances just improved by 6".

That lock is controlled by the Army Corps of engineers. They are usually very helpful with this kind of information. Here is a contact page for the Chicago district.

https://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/Contact/

Ted

Ted,

That's my understanding.

Today the pool level in the Lockport Dam is 576.13. The reference is 576.2. So this would give me .07 inch greater clearance going under the bridge. Does this make sense?

However, I'm going to call the lock master to see what he says.

I don't know how much it will help you, but I came down lake Michigan and stopped for a few days in Portage Indiana. The marina has the cheapest fuel on the lower part of the Lake and far cheaper than anything in the Chicago area. Fill up completely there including water and then I believe it was about 30 to 40 miles to the lock. On my boat, that's worth 3". Btw, the marina in Portage was very reasonable, extremely protected and there is a commuter train station within a 5 minute walk, that takes you to Chicago in 40 minutes or so depending on where you get off. The train was very inexpensive, runs till late in the evening, and allows you to site see Chicago without staying there.

Ted

Seevee said:

My air height is 16'4".

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Are you certain about that? Assume that is with the mast and bimini lowered but your pic just looks like the air draft is higher.

Donsan said:

Are you certain about that? Assume that is with the mast and bimini lowered but your pic just looks like the air draft is higher.

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That seems correct to me. I have rafted alongside one of those models and the top of the enclosure is abut the same as mine that I measured at 16 1/2 feet.
(Mast will probably have to be lowered.)
And I have been under a 17 foot bridge on the Champlain canal.

If you're really concerned about the 17' bridge, then you can always take the alternate route with 19' 1" clearance.

Also, contact the nearest lockmaster or bridge tender to the fixed bridge and they can generally give you bridge clearance at the moment with no translation necessary. They've translated many times.

Seevee said:

Ted,



That's my understanding.



Today the pool level in the Lockport Dam is 576.13. The reference is 576.2. So this would give me .07 inch greater clearance going under the bridge. Does this make sense?



However, I'm going to call the lock master to see what he says.

Click to expand...

That 576.2 datum point is feet above sea level. So at 576.13, you have another .07 feet, or about .8” more clearance.

The lock master will definitely be your best contact for the most recent information.

I’ve been to Chicago twice since 2014. My air clearance is 16’10” and never had any problems with bridges. A lot of bridges have no tender, I couldn’t raise anyone on the vhf, while waiting the bridge opened. After that the others opened shortly after I arrived. I think they use cameras and open remotely.

O C Diver said:

I don't know how much it will help you, but I came down lake Michigan and stopped for a few days in Portage Indiana. The marina has the cheapest fuel on the lower part of the Lake and far cheaper than anything in the Chicago area. Fill up completely there including water and then I believe it was about 30 to 40 miles to the lock. On my boat, that's worth 3". Btw, the marina in Portage was very reasonable, extremely protected and there is a commuter train station within a 5 minute walk, that takes you to Chicago in 40 minutes or so depending on where you get off. The train was very inexpensive, runs till late in the evening, and allows you to site see Chicago without staying there.

Ted

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Good info, but I came down on the WI side and topped off in Port Washington at $2.95, cheap for todays prices. However, looking for a good fuel price sw of Chicago or Peoria. They all seem very high.

As for the bridge clearance, called the Lockport Lockmaster and he pretty well explained in and the level looks good for a run today.

thx for the help!

Seevee said:

Good info, but I came down on the WI side and topped off in Port Washington at $2.95, cheap for todays prices. However, looking for a good fuel price sw of Chicago or Peoria. They all seem very high.

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Check Hammond IN. It's close to the Calumet River.

Seevee, are you sure about your air height? My info on the 400 shows 19'2". My 390 shows 18'8''.
John

johnma said:

Seevee, are you sure about your air height? My info on the 400 shows 19'2". My 390 shows 18'8''.
John

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Johnma,

Pretty sure and I've measured it, but hard to do and get within 6 in. But 16'4" is the number I'm working with, over the canopy with antennas and radar down.

Went thru yesterday and cleared everything by 2 ft or more.... non issue. I just didn't feel real comfortable about how the bridge height was determined.

Jeff F said:

Check Hammond IN. It's close to the Calumet River.

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Jeff,

Thx but that was a bit out of our way and the tanks weren't dry enough. Even at the Joliet wall, I've got 3/4 of a tank so hoping to perhaps find a cheap fuel stop either side of Peoria or so.... but if there's a real bargain, will top off anywhere.

Thx

Seevee said:

Jeff,

Thx but that was a bit out of our way and the tanks weren't dry enough. Even at the Joliet wall, I've got 3/4 of a tank so hoping to perhaps find a cheap fuel stop either side of Peoria or so.... but if there's a real bargain, will top off anywhere.

Thx

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Also, let's keep in mind that most boats have as much as a 6" variation based on load. Full tanks, several passengers and you'll approach your minimum air draft and maximum water draft.

Plan your fuel stops well. The further you get away from Chicago, the fewer the choices there are. If you're headed to the Tennessee river, the new dock in Paducah, KY is a great stop and has fuel etc. Paducah is also a good town to stop at for a day or two. If you have the range to go from either Grafton or Alton to Paducah, I would use those fuel stops. Let me know if you need help with anchorages between those areas.

Ted

Seevee said:

Good info, but I came down on the WI side and topped off in Port Washington at $2.95, cheap for todays prices. However, looking for a good fuel price sw of Chicago or Peoria. They all seem very high.

As for the bridge clearance, called the Lockport Lockmaster and he pretty well explained in and the level looks good for a run today.

thx for the help!

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Alton, IL Marina, $2.90/gal.

No diesel between Peoria and Grafton.

Portage?

O C Diver said:

I don't know how much it will help you, but I came down lake Michigan and stopped for a few days in Portage Indiana. The marina has the cheapest fuel on the lower part of the Lake and far cheaper than anything in the Chicago area. Fill up completely there including water and then I believe it was about 30 to 40 miles to the lock. On my boat, that's worth 3". Btw, the marina in Portage was very reasonable, extremely protected and there is a commuter train station within a 5 minute walk, that takes you to Chicago in 40 minutes or so depending on where you get off. The train was very inexpensive, runs till late in the evening, and allows you to site see Chicago without staying there.

Ted

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Is it possible that you mean Michigan City rather than Portage?

Davb1947 said:

Is it possible that you mean Michigan City rather than Portage?

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No. My 2 stops on lake Michigan for fuel (same and cheapest price on the lake that I could find in September 2017) were Lake Shore Yacht Harbor in Muskegon, MI and Marina Shores at Dune Harbor in Portage, IN.

Ted

So you went down Burn’s Ditch and got under the fixed bridge? Do you remember the height of that bridge? It isn’t shown on my chart.

I don't remember the clearance for the bridge. I have a 15' air draft. I think it is 17 or 18', but vaguely remember calling the marina (219-762-5700) because I was concerned. Was in there over labor day and a few days after as there was a gale forecasted (which happened) and was looking for a place to hide. If you want to see Chicago without staying on the lake, there is a commuter train that will take you from next to the marina into downtown Chicago for very little money.

Ted

Thanks! I’ve never been in there.

The Coast Pilot isn't much help either:

Portage-Burns Waterway...
(532) The waterway is crossed by bridges and overhead
cables and pipelines, all of unknown clearance.

Thanks for the tip!

400 Air Draft

Interesting conversation in that I was going to measure my air draft this weekend. Did you measure yours at 16'4"? Is that with the canvas up or down? I noticed another captain said his 390 was closer to 19'. What does that height include?

It would be great to have this data so I will know if I got it close or not.

I checked Active Captain and it shows all the bridges on the Porter-Burns waterway, at least to Doyne's Marine at 20 ft.