The Vermillion River is located just southwest of Chicago, Illinois. However, the river at the dam has been closed and off limit to the public since July 2, 2009. The decision to close the dam was that of the dam’s owner, Buzzi Unicem, who closed it after several incidents had occurred near the dam. In 2009, three people were hurt on the river and one person was killed. All those hurt were rafting on the river near the dam. In 2008, before the dam was closed, two people died after suffering hypothermia from a raft that capsized underneath the dam. Now, Buzzi Unicem is working with industrial crane operators and using wire ropes in conjunction with 2-ton concrete blocks in order to stop the heavy river flow through the dam. Strong industrial cables (or wire ropes) are needed to support the weight of the 2-ton slabs, but the workers are hoping to put a stop to the River’s rushing waters by distributing the blocks along the dam. The industrial crane, with the assistance of workers in boats and in the water, is using steel cables in order to lower concrete blocks into deep holes in the river. Until now, the deep holes in the river have caused strong, rotating currents that can easily pull boats and people underwater. After the crane has lowered the 2-ton blocks into place, workers expect to significantly improve conditions near the river’s dam. Keep visiting us right here on Elite Sales for more news and information regarding commercial rigging equipment like wire ropes, chains, steel cables and much more. Elite Sales is dedicated to providing all our visitors with rigging industry news from around the world.
