Kathy and Richard Someone said if you can be only 17' high you can make all the bridges on the Chicago river, and not have a opening. All but 1 an 11' Amtrack bridge must be opened. There is a nice park on the up river side you can stop at and wait. We found it helps to walk to the bridge tender shack and talk to the bridge tender. They seem not to here the radio. Other than that one bridge we went the whole way with no openings but close close close. Getting a bridge open other than that one is a chore. 16'6" will get you all the way down the river. If not go the other way. See pictures on our website. Lee Ladd M/V DBL-ELL On the Loop www.dblell.com <<<--website lladd68321@aol.com 513-218-6410 boat and only cell phone