The area of the I and M Canal at Channahon is interesting.  It is in this region that the DuPage River crosses the Canal.  The planners considered multiple options for this site.  Originally, an aqueduct was considered as was used at  other river crossing sites.  However this was rejected as too expensive.   Second consideration was a feeder canal.  This was built.  The contractors were Harris and Johnston.  It extended from the DuPage River near Minooka to the I and M canal near Lock 7.   Eventually the feeder was taken down.  A dam was built across the DuPage River between Lock 6 and 7.  A control gate was made adjacent to the 7th Lock.  This allowed water to flow from the River into the canal.   This gate is still present.