An actual river had to be moved in order to accommodate the US Steel plant. The Grand Calumet River was moved 1,000 feet south of its previous location, so that the steel mill could be located in the best possible position on the land US Steel owned. Workers had to contend with hornets, yellow jackets, dune fleas, and snakes. In total, almost two miles of the river was straightened. The river, in its new position, was now located between the mill and the town. The huge shovel that is doing the digging is steam powered.