As a narrow, shallow branch that flows through the northwest suburbs and northwest side of Chicago before mingling with the North Branch, the Upper North Branch is the least manipulated section of the river. While other branches have been shaped by the city, the barge industry and unabashed growth, the Upper North Branch preserves the bends and memories of the river basin. It’s had some work done, including a new sewer tunnel built in the Jefferson Park neighborhood in 2014 that connects with the Deep Tunnel.
Character of the Upper North Branch
The Upper North Branch is a matronly figure in a large family tree. They don’t have any biological children, but serves as a mother-figure for all the youth in the family network. They know your mom from before you were born and can tell you stories that your mother would never mention. They hold a lot of institutional knowledge of the family tree. The Upper North Branch knows all the branches deeply. The other branches have forgotten where they came from, they have become disconnected from their identity and have changed. The Upper North Branch knows who they really are. They encourage the youth to remain true to their authentic selves.
