Putrid Smell - 35th and Archer (Chicago, Ashland: live, restaurant, yard)

[chitownwarrior]

Does anyone live near orange line stop 35th and Archer?

There is a horrid smell that stretches across the entire area, that smells like a mix of rotting meat and thai fish sauce. It's not from a restaurant or a single locale because it stretches an extremely long distance.

Anyone smell this or know the source of the smell? it's driving people crazy. We have a theory it's something someone is dumping in the sewers. ..

[cdc3217]

It could be Bubbly Creek on the Chicago River. This is the South Fork that goes from about 31st Streeet past 35th, but its east of Ashland, near Throop.

This is a stagnant offshoot of the South Branch of the Chicago River, the rest of which turns West and becomes the Sanitary and Ship Canal near Ashland and Archer.
This is actually where the stockyards used to be in the old days, and word is, there is still anaerobic decomposition happening.

It was originally a wetland and I believe there were/are proposals to return it to that state of being. (Who knows when) A wetland works like a water filter and could greatly improve the environmental quality of the waterway and its shores.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by chitownwarrior

Does anyone live near orange line stop 35th and Archer?

There is a horrid smell that stretches across the entire area, that smells like a mix of rotting meat and thai fish sauce. It's not from a restaurant or a single locale because it stretches an extremely long distance.

Anyone smell this or know the source of the smell? it's driving people crazy. We have a theory it's something someone is dumping in the sewers. ..

If it was three weeks later, I'd say it was likely coming from the Chicago White Sox bullpen at U.S. Cellular Field.

[sterlinggirl]

Originally Posted by chitownwarrior

We have a theory it's something someone is dumping in the sewers. ..

Sorry......

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by cdc3217

It could be Bubbly Creek on the Chicago River. This is the South Fork that goes from about 31st Streeet past 35th, but its east of Ashland, near Throop.

This is a stagnant offshoot of the South Branch of the Chicago River, the rest of which turns West and becomes the Sanitary and Ship Canal near Ashland and Archer.
This is actually where the stockyards used to be in the old days, and word is, there is still anaerobic decomposition happening.

It was originally a wetland and I believe there were/are proposals to return it to that state of being. (Who knows when) A wetland works like a water filter and could greatly improve the environmental quality of the waterway and its shores.

Yep, just imagine millions and millions of cattle at that location, all producing a lot of waste before going off to the slaughter... And then the bi-products of that slaughter are also decomposing. I wouldn't be surprised if that area smells bad for 500 years! If you want an idea of what it was like, read Upton Sinclair's The Jungle. Here's a photo from 1947

[Avengerfire]

The coal burning power plants in the area known as Crawford and Fisk are probably the biggest reasons.Want to know more about the plants?
List of power stations in Illinois - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
EPA rule eases restrictions on coal plants / nwi.com (http://nwitimes.com/articles/2003/12/08/news/local_illinois/55e39d45bd091eb686256df50080753d.txt - broken link)
Medill News Service : Chicago - Coal-fired power plants leave residents of Pilsen breathless (http://mesh.medill.northwestern.edu/mnschicago/archives/2002/06/coalfired_power_1.html - broken link)
Coal-burning power plants - Indeck Energy Corporation
PERRO - Coal-Fired Power Plants in Chicago


Along with what CDC and Lookout stated about the stockyards,bubbly creek,the cal sag and the area being old wetlands that would be your answer.

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by chitownwarrior

Does anyone live near orange line stop 35th and Archer?

There is a horrid smell that stretches across the entire area, that smells like a mix of rotting meat and thai fish sauce. It's not from a restaurant or a single locale because it stretches an extremely long distance.

Anyone smell this or know the source of the smell? it's driving people crazy. We have a theory it's something someone is dumping in the sewers. ..

It could just be the City of Chicago. My it smells so pretty! I esp. love even though its in the burbs; Corn Products... MMMMMM now there is a tasty treat to wake up to in the morning... Burnt corn! YUM. Not to mention the fumes give you a bit of a high as well. I always find it's a nice alternative to that morning cup-a-joe.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Yep, just imagine millions and millions of cattle at that location, all producing a lot of waste before going off to the slaughter...

And hogs;-)

When I first read The Jungle in 1992, I almost went Vegan overnight.

[chitownwarrior]

It started about two months ago though, and hasn't been around all the time. And it seems to only occur on weekends. Just wondering if anyone else noticed it.

If you're bored on saturday, take a quick 10 mins from the Roosevelt stop to 35th on the orange and take a big whif.

[cdc3217]

Another factor that affects the smell on Bubbly Creek is if there's a lot of rainfall. If Deep Tunnel fills up with the runoff and watewater from Chicago's old combined sewer system, then they have to release the overflow into the River or occasionally, the Lake. And guess where one of the discarge gates are? On Bubbly Creek.

So maybe the smell is linked to heavy rainfall events?