It was reassuring to learn that the Des Plaines River will not dry up, even in the driest conditions, at the June 7 meeting, in which revised and independent results regarding the notching of the Hofmann Dam were presented to the public.
It was also reassuring to learn that when the river is returned to its natural state, it is expected to reduce the mosquito population because there will be less stagnant water where mosquitoes love to breed.
Having this golden opportunity to re-establish the natural river ecosystem is definitely something that all Riversiders can be proud of, and would most certainly have pleased Olmsted, who would relish the fact that the river will be opened up to more recreational opportunities, since it will no longer be dangerous to canoe or kayak anywhere up and downstream.
Concerns from several owners whose properties back to the river are understandable. However, basing personal interest upon maintaining the artificial height and width of a river asks much of the rest of the community and the ecosystem, both of which would benefit from a natural river and increased public safety.
The river belongs to all of us and we belong to the river. It runs through our town, and I would hope that it would serve as a ribbon that binds us together as we look forward to watching it heal as it becomes a free flowing avenue for fish and boaters to go up and downstream at will.
Fran Alcantara
Riverside
