I lived in the town of Willow Springs, IL for over 20 years. There are 3 waterways that run side by side. The DesPlaines River, the I&M Canal and the Sanitary and Ship Canal. No matter how cold it got I never remember the Sanitary & Ship Chanel freezing. the other two would freeze but not the Sanitary and Ship Chanel. If it got really cold, there would be steam rising form the water. What keeps this waterway so warm and prevents it from freezing?
Roger