The Sinnissippi Dam was constructed in 1907 to control the flow of the river to the Hennepin Feeder Canal, which was built between 1892 and 1907. The dam created a laterally eroded portion of the Rock River near Sterling that became the recreational "Sinnissippi Lake." In the winter, the flooded river froze over because of the dam, creating an ideal ice skating destination. In the summer, it served as a popular fishing destination. The 1927 Automobile Blue Book highlights the dam and the lake it created, drawing many tourists from the Lincoln Highway. Similarly, in 2008, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources constructed a walkway over the dam. It allows visitors to cross the river on foot between Rock Falls and Sterling.

 

< Points of Interest