Friends of the Chicago River

Friends of the Chicago River Our mission is to improve and protect the Chicago River system for people, plants and animals. Become a member today! www.chicagoriver.org

We’re close to our $20,000 Double Your Dollar Match goal. Every contribution right now goes twice as far. With more than...
04/28/2026

We’re close to our $20,000 Double Your Dollar Match goal. Every contribution right now goes twice as far.

With more than $16,000 raised so far, we’re building real momentum, but we’re not done yet. Your donation supports critical work: restoring habitats, advocating for clean water, and strengthening a more resilient Chicago-Calumet River system for people and wildlife. As we move through Earth Month there’s no better time to invest in the health of our wondrous river system.

Help us cross the finish line by April 30 and double your impact.
Click the link to donate https://tinyurl.com/DoubleDollarMatch

We’re so close to reaching our $20,000 Double Your Dollar Match goal! So far, we have raised more than $16,000, but we n...
04/28/2026

We’re so close to reaching our $20,000 Double Your Dollar Match goal! So far, we have raised more than $16,000, but we need your help to get the rest of the way there. Now through April 30, every gift is matched, meaning your support goes twice as far in protecting and restoring the Chicago-Calumet River system. From restoring critical habitat to advocating for clean water, healthier communities, and a more accessible river, this work is only possible because of you. Click the link to donate: https://tinyurl.com/DoubleDollarMatch

The City of Chicago is releasing a Green Infrastructure Strategy and wants to hear from you! 🌱 Green infrastructure harn...
04/27/2026

The City of Chicago is releasing a Green Infrastructure Strategy and wants to hear from you! 🌱 Green infrastructure harnesses the power of nature to manage flooding by holding and filtering rain where it falls. Solutions like rain gardens and green roofs are proven tools to address Chicago’s flooding challenges, but they must be scaled up and equitably implemented across our communities. Now’s your chance to weigh in: register for a Zoom Webinar to join us in launching the strategy and public comment period: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/XgDA2HouRrKHh6HkINFKUg #/registration

04/27/2026

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:

• Delay showers and baths
• Flush less frequently
• Wait to run the dishwasher or washing machine

Flooding and sewer backups can happen for a variety of reasons. To help prevent flooding inside or around your home, there are actions you and your family can take before and during rainfall.

Learn how to prepare for stormwater at this link: https://mwrd.org/community-action/you-can-help-prevent-flooding-and-protect-water-quality.

Learn more about Combined Sewer Overflow prevention here: https://mwrd.org/community-action/overflow-action

Sign up to receive Overflow Action Alerts via text
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/YhH2xGP/MWRDSignup

Learn what you should do during flooding:
https://mwrd.org/community-action/what-you-should-do-during-flooding

For more information and explanations about how the MWRD’s infrastructure and waterway system operate, visit these links:

Learn about the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP)
https://mwrd.org/what-we-do/tunnel-and-reservoir-plan-tarp

Understand how the Chicago Area Waterway System works
https://mwrd.org/what-we-do/reducing-flooding/chicago-area-waterway-system-caws

Learn about the types of sewer systems in Cook County
https://mwrd.org/community-action/understanding-your-sewer

Request a presentation for your community
https://mwrd.org/education/speakers-and-outreach

Tour our facilities
https://mwrd.org/education/tours

Municipal partners can explore stormwater partnership opportunities
https://mwrd.org/stormwater/partnerships

The top of the MWRD’s website displays a notification if an Overflow Action Alert is active.

Visit: MWRD.org/OAD

Overflow Action Alerts are a joint initiative of the MWRD and Friends of the Chicago River.

Make an Impact this Earth Day For decades, Friends of the Chicago River has helped transform the 156-mile Chicago-Calume...
04/21/2026

Make an Impact this Earth Day

For decades, Friends of the Chicago River has helped transform the 156-mile Chicago-Calumet River system, but today, that progress is at risk. As the climate crisis intensifies, more frequent and severe storms threaten our riverbanks, increase flooding, and damage vital habitat, infrastructure, and community spaces.

We’ve come a long way, but we need your help now more than ever.

Click the link to Double Your Donation Impact: https://tinyurl.com/DoubleYourImpact2026

This Earth Month, you can double your impact. Thanks to the generosity of Otter Society Members Michael and Kim Moran and Larry and Denise Kaplan, all gifts will be matched up to $20,000.

• $1,500 becomes $3,000
• $150 becomes $300
• $15 becomes $30

Consider joining the Friends’ Otter Society with a leadership gift of $1,500 or more, or give at any level to support critical action and advocacy efforts.

You can also make a special impact by supporting osprey nest monitoring systems and becoming an Osprey Hero.

Celebrate Earth Month by donating to our action and advocacy for a healthier, more resilient river system for all people, water, and wildlife.

Donate now and double your impact.

Support the Chicago-Calumet River system by bidding in the 2026 Big Fish Ball Gone Fishin’ Silent Auction.Open new throu...
04/13/2026

Support the Chicago-Calumet River system by bidding in the 2026 Big Fish Ball Gone Fishin’ Silent Auction.

Open new through April 20 at 4 p.m., the auction features a wide range of items, including a private Bridgehouse Museum Tour, Lower Box White Sox Tickets, a show at the Black Ensemble Theater, and a tour of Lake Geneva.

Every bid adds value to your personal experiences while helping Friends of the Chicago River continue our vital restoration work. Click the link to explore the full list of vacation packages and local Chicago experiences. Thank you for bidding and supporting our mission for people, water, and wildlife. https://tinyurl.com/AuctionBigFishBall

More rain is expected. Please take action to help protect your community from basement backups and combined sewer overfl...
04/03/2026

More rain is expected. Please take action to help protect your community from basement backups and combined sewer overflows by reducing your water use.

Combined sewer overflows release untreated or partially treated wastewater into the river system.

Here are three easy ways that you can help reduce the amount of water in the sewer system:

• Delay showers and baths
• Flush less frequently
• Wait to run the dishwasher or washing machine

Do your part to reduce the burden on our wastewater treatment facilities by limiting any unnecessary water use the next 48-72 hours. Click the link to sign up for Overflow Action Alerts: https://tinyurl.com/Overflow-Action-Days

Address

121 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1700
Chicago, IL
60601

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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