Friends of the Chicago River's mission is to protect and restore the Chicago-Calumet River system for all people, water, and wildlife. Become a member today!
Joined August 2009
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- Following 828
- Followers 6,012
- Likes 6,425
1,705 Photos and videos
Overflow Action Alert
Heavy rain is expected in the Chicago area today. Reduce your use of water during and after the storm to help prevent flooding and protect water quality.
Learn more at MWRD.org/OAD.
@ChicagoRiver
ALT Yellow circular badge urging action for Overflow Action Day by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and Friends of the Chicago River. Large blue text reads, “Act! It’s an Overflow Action Day” on the upper half of the badge with the logos of the organizations below.
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A great start to the 20th anniversary of the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum! Thanks to everyone who joined our Happy Hour Speaker Series discussing "Riverfronts of this Century." Next Speaker Series is June 25. Learn more:
tinyurl.com/HHSpeakerSeries
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Plastic pollution is one of the biggest threats to our waterways. Research by Friends of the Chicago River and Loyola University Chicago found that 85% of litter in the Chicago-Calumet River system is plastic, and 85% of that is food-related packaging and containers.
By one estimate, at least 22 million pounds of plastic waste end up in the Great Lakes every year. Lake Michigan is rivaled only by Lake Erie in concentrations of nurdles and other tiny bits known collectively as microplastics. chicagotribune.com/2026/05/3…
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Registration is open for the 34th Annual Chicago River Day on Saturday, May 9. Our spring cleanup event draws thousands to protect and restore the Chicago-Calumet River system. Join us for the largest litter cleanup event of the year! Register at chicagoriver.org.
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Overflow Action Day Alert! Heavy rain is expected in the Chicago area today. Reduce your use of water during and after the storm to help prevent flooding and protect water quality:
* Delay showers and baths
* Flush less frequently
* Wait to run the dishwasher or washing machine
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15 Dec 2025
Now is the time for @ChicagoDPD to create a River Corridor Master Plan. #chicagoriver
chicago.suntimes.com/letters…
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Friends of the Chicago River retweeted
24 Sep 2025
In 2011, we listed the Chicago River as one of America's Most Endangered Rivers® due to sewage pollution and public health issues. Thanks to the hard work of @ChicagoRiver, the river hosted it's first open river swim in 100 years! 🥳
Learn more: chicagoriver.org/blog/2025/8…
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🚨☔ We have issued an Overflow Action Alert.
The #MWRD’s Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (#TARP) system is designed to reduce flooding and pollution caused by combined sewer overflows.
Read more: MWRD.org/News: mwrd.org/news/mwrd-issues-ov…
@ChicagoRiver
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⚠️ We have issued an Overflow Action Alert‼️
Conserve water now to reduce the amount of water in municipal sewers.
💧Delay showers & baths
💧Flush less
💧Wait to run the dishwasher or washing machine
Learn more MWRD.org:
mwrd.org/community-action/ov…
@chicagoriver
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⚠️ We have issued an Overflow Action Alert.
Conserve water now to reduce the amount of water in municipal sewers.
💧Delay showers and baths
💧Flush less frequently
💧Wait to run the dishwasher or washing machine
Learn more at MWRD.org:
mwrd.org/community-action/ov…
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Friends of the Chicago River retweeted
31 Mar 2025
Spring arrives at the Garden with a flourish of blooms, but this year, many eyes are also fixed on an 80-foot pole rising toward the sky. This platform was built in 2016 to support nesting ospreys, a threatened species in Illinois. Learn more: chgobg.org/3QVvF5C
ALT Osprey nest photo by Janet Pellegrini
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Friends of the Chicago River retweeted
17 Mar 2025
Join the City of Chicago & @chicagoriver virtually this Wed., March 19, or in person on Wed., March 26, to learn about the proposed notification system for informing the public when combined sewer overflows occur. Learn more & register: chicagoriver.org/events
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❄️ Winter weather is coming! Salt enhances safety and helps with icy conditions, but excessive salt use can also harm our local water environment, soil, wildlife, and the paws of our four-legged friends. 🦮🐈🐿️🐾
#SaltSmart this winter: MWRD.org/Salt! 🐢🐟🦝🦅
#MWRD
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30 Jan 2025
Overflow Action Alert! Rain is coming. Reduce water use to protect from basement backups & sewer overflows. Delay showers & baths - flush less - wait to run dishwasher/washing machine. Sign up for Overflow Action Alerts: tinyurl.com/4whw6242
@LourdesWGN @WBEZ @adrianamperezr
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31 Dec 2024
Our amazing corps of volunteers help us to advance our public policy and engage new communities in our work. We could not do it without them. Learn more at chicagoriver.org
31 Dec 2024
For almost three decades, canoe guides have volunteered to take locals and tourists exploring up and down the Chicago River to increase accessibility to the river and advance conservation efforts. trib.al/waCesYX
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❄ Winter weather is coming! Salt enhances safety & helps with icy conditions, but excessive salt use can also harm our water environment, wildlife and the paws of our four-legged friends. 🐕 🐈 🐿️ 🐾
Learn to #SaltSmart this winter at MWRD.org/salt! 🐢🐟🦝 🦅
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16 Dec 2024
We are making inquiries into the apparent spill of debris into the North Branch at the new Bally’s Casino site, which occurred on Saturday. Anyone who sees any kind of pollution should report it to @MWRDGC dump line at 1 800 332 DUMP and to us at friends@chicagoriver.org.
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16 Dec 2024
“This kind of irresponsible behavior can’t stand,” said Friends’ executive director, Margaret Frisbie. “We are just grateful that the community acted right away and reported it to @AldReilly and others.
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16 Dec 2024
It is incumbent on any river-edge developer to protect the river from pollution in every way—and our government agencies to swoop in and stop them when they don’t.”
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Friends of the Chicago River retweeted
20 Nov 2024
DOE recently joined @SE_TaskForce & other community partners for an environmental justice tour of the Calumet River. Thanks, SETF, for the opportunity to learn about the community's history & your future vision from this unique vantage point. 📸: Amy Heldman from @chicagoriver
ALT Autumn foliage with vibrant yellow and red leaves on trees along a riverbank. In the river, there is a partially submerged car.
ALT View of a serene river with industrial buildings on the left, including a large silo and a conveyor belt. Barge filled with cargo is moored in the foreground, and a steel truss bridge is visible in the distance under a clear blue sky.
ALT View of large yellow sulfur piles at an industrial site on the side of a river, with conveyor belts and a storage building under a clear blue sky.
ALT Group of five people smiling on a boat tour, with a bridge visible in the background. They are dressed in casual, warm clothing and some are wearing beanies.
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