I have lived in the Calumet Region my entire life, but I didn't really know the history behind the Calumet River. I drive by the Little Calumet River everyday on my way to work, and thought that this would be an interesting subject to research.
The Grand and Little Calumet Rivers flow between the ancient shorelines and Lake Michigan.
Over thousands of years The Calumet Region and The Calumet River have shown changes due to ice retreat, declines in the levels of Lake Michigan, industrialization and settlement. (Schoon pg. 39)
When the glacier retreated from the Calumet Area and Lake Michigan was formed, the Calumet River was created in Western LaPorte County. It flowed northwestward, carrying ground and rain waters. It emptied into the lake south of where Michigan City is today. The lake level receded about 2500 years ago and due to this the Calumet River then took a turn south of what we know now as Blue Island. (Schoon, pg.40)
The sands began to force the mouth 22 miles eastward, going past what we know now as Riverdale, Hegewisch, Hammond and Miller Beach. Today the Grand Calumet River flows westward. It flows from Marquette Park Lagoon to the junction with the Calumet River at Hegewisch. (Schoon pg. 40)
The Calumet River is 13 miles long. Over the course of geological history, the landscape of The Calumet River has been created. Wind erosion and lake recession have created dune and ecosystems. Hydrology and climate have helped create the wetlands, savannas, prairies and forests.
The destruction of the habitats that we see today is not due to glacial ice but to industrial and urban development. The introduction of non-native invasive species have also contributed to the habitats' destruction. http://www.indianaacademyofscience.org/Documents/Proceedings
Due to the Calumet River's flat gradient, much of the Little Calumet River has always been flood prone. (Schoon, pg. 42) Unfortunately many people in the Calumet Region have witnessed how tragic this type of flood can be.
References: Kenneth J. Schoon, Calumet Beginnings
Picture of The Little Calumet River in Highland. This portion of the river has
had a lot of work done to it for flood control purposes.
Photograph Taken By: Carol Haynes
The Little Calumet River flows under a walking bridge
that leads to a nature trail.
Photograph Taken By: Carol Haynes
The walking bridge that goes over the Little Calumet River
is fairly new. The nature trail on the other side connects with
Oxbow Park in the Hessville side of Hammond. This area is on the north
side of the river.
Reference: Daniel Haynes (former resident of Highland)
Photograph Taken By: Carol Haynes
Along the bank of this river was the Highland dump. They
have since closed it down and the river has become
more scenic.
Reference: Daniel Haynes (former resident of Highland)
Photograph Taken By: Carol Haynes
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