It is an area of the Chicago River that is not suitable for swimming at all. The primary reason is the amount of disgusting, loathsome things that you’ll find in the lake. From discarded meat to fecal matter, you’ll find a lot of disgusting things floating on the surface of the lake. As all the items decay over time, the water becomes more toxic for even the marine life. Even if you just want a nice place to sit and enjoy some peace, this is certainly not the place for you.