86 Fox River’s Bioregional History – Low-Head Dams Janelle Thomas Of the many factors that have contributed to the Fox River's bioregional history, the installation of low-head dams has by far had the most negative impact. Barriers such as these are categorized by their span across the entire river as well as their steep drop-offs. Being structured in this manner allows for river depth regulation, hydropower generation, and irrigation control. Though initially innovative, low-head dams have, in many ways, outgrown their usefulness. They have posed high risks to life in and along the river in innumerable ways. For this reason, I have chosen to investigate the demand for such barriers and their subsequent effects on their environment. With this, I aim to thoroughly understand the river's past in an attempt to predict its future. The Fox River is a major waterway in Illinois that spans over 200 miles in total length. Its strong flow and accessibility made it a great source of hydropower for several counties during early settlement. As the river's recreational, transit, and sanitary uses, it became a target for industrial development. Thus, regulating naturally high-water levels became increasingly vital. As a result, numerous mills and dams were installed along the stream to maintain suitable water levels for aquatic activities.1 Given decades of innovation, most of the mills are long gone and have since been replaced with hydroelectric dams. 1 “Weather.gov > Indianapolis, IN > Avoid the Drowning Machine: Low Head Dam Public Safety Awareness Month.” n.d. National Weather Service. Accessed November 10, 2022. https://www.weather.gov/ind/LowHeadDamPublicSafetyAwarenessMonth.
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