Our Friendless River

In 1979, Chicago Magazine published “Our Friendless River,” decrying the state of the river. Fortunately, a change in mindset was already taking place nationally and locally.

Nationally, the federal government responded to public pressure to improve environmental and water quality. In 1970, Nixon established the Environmental Protection Agency, and by 1972, the Clean Water Act gave citizens the legal backing to demand healthier waterways.

Locally, the Chicago Magazine article pointed out that recovery of the polluted, neglected, and manipulated river was not impossible. An inspired group formed Friends of the Chicago River (Friends), envisioning a healthy urban river system. Today, Friends works tirelessly to raise awareness of the river’s condition and to improve it.