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What's this little critter?ÌýFriends' staff who were present aren't convincedÌýthat the medium sizedÌý was a muskrat, but we do know that river otters are making a comeback.Ìý

According to Ìýfrom the Forest Preserves of Cook County, they have been seen downtown and in several forest preserves along the Chicago, Calumet, and Des Plaines rivers.Ìý

While there are a lot of good reasons not to swim in the Chicago River system, they are becomingÌýa fewer and Friends is pleased to be developing ideas and partnerships that will help make the river safe and more accessible every day. Check out the piece regarding a potential swimming event that ran last week.ÌýAlso check out Friends' comments on why you should NOT jump in just yet.

One of µÚÒ»³Ô¹Ï's longest and most loyalÌývolunteers, Tom Nelson, who sadly passed away last winter, was heralded in the Chicago Tribune because of his spirited style and dedicated to the Chicago Jazz.

NelsonÌýmet his wife, Laurie, at the Chicago Jazz Fest and on their first big date he brought her down the Chicago River in a big inflatable raft which he ended up bringing to Jazz Fest, using it asÌýa couch toÌýenjoy the sounds of jazz in the magnificent park.

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The Columbia College Chronicle the need for investment and collaboration to make the rivers that flow through the Chicago and the collaboration through Great Rivers Chicago and the "Our Great Rivers" plan that was released this summer.

On August 27, 2016 David St. Pierre, the executive director of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), the agency in charge of our sewers and stormwater, and the biggest discharger to our waterways, jumped into the Cal-Sag ChannelÌýdownstream of the Calumet sewage treatment plant to prove that he believes the water is clean enough for swimming.

St. Pierre’s jump, inspired by Steve Buchtel, executive director, Trails for Illinois, who jumped in with him (to benefit the Cal-Sag Trail), marks a moment in history that should be celebrated with brass bands and confetti.

Friends' McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum sits on one of the most historic sites in Chicago where soldiers builtÌýFort Dearborn in 1803--and started digging a channel through a sandbar that isÌýthe footprint for the Main Stem eastward today. Visitors to the museum can discover this and other interesting facts about Chicago's growth to become one of the nation's largest cities over the course of barely 50 years--all because of the river.

AndÌýwe know that people already are.

, released this week by Friends, Metropolitan Planning Council, and the City of Chicago with enthusiasticÌýsupport by and leadership from Mayor ÌýRahm Emanuel, has continued to attract attention.ÌýThe ran the story on theÌýfront page, the picked itÌýup, Ìýand a host of TV and radio stations includingÌýÌýand the online journal Ìýquoted Friends' vision for swimming which is nowÌýprotected by law.

In fact, next week...

µÚÒ»³Ô¹Ï was pleased to share in the announcement of Our Great Rivers, a visionÌýand acition agenda that highlights ideas and strategies that will contribute to the continued improvement of the Chicago, Calumet, and Des Plaines rivers where they flow through the City ofÌýChicago. A segment on Ìýwith Friends' executive director, Margaret Frisbie,Ìýhightlighted how will be aÌýuseful tool for Friends and other organizations that have been working to improve and protect these rivers.

This weekend's torrentialÌýrains caused combined sewer overflows (CSOs) that drove sewage and other pollutants into the Chicago River system, potentially harming people and wildlife. In fact, the volumeÌýwas so great the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) had to µÚÒ»³Ô¹Ïopen the controlling gates at Wilmette which allowed polluted water into Lake Michigan causing beach closures. Friends called for an Friday in advance of the weekend's wet weather and had piece in the on how you can help.

Friends' McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum continues to visitors with its interesting content, access to the innerworkings of the bridge,Ìýand sweeping views of the Chicago River. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, programs include a summer lunchtime lecture series, Asian Carp Grill Fest, and musical interludes.