Covel Creek (Illinois)

LENGTH 6 mi., CLASS II, GRADIENT:

SEASON: Spring when everything is high.

PUT-IN: First bridge upstream of Hwy. 23 (Cty. E1800). Head South from the Hwy. 23 bridge and take a left on Cty. N2450 and another left on Cty. E1800. Drive to creek and park river right, downstream side. The upstream property owner is somewhat aggressive so try to put in under the bridge.

TAKEOUT: Return to Hwy. 23 and turn right (North). Drive about two miles to Cty. N2650 and turn left (West). Drive to Hwy. 71 and turn left. (West). Park at the bridge on Hwy. 71.

GAGE: Visual at riffle bed upstream of Hwy. 23 bridge, South of Ottawa. If it looks even marginally scrapy, don't bother. The higher, the better.

FUN FACT: Great early season fun

SHUTTLE: See above.

Many people put in at a golf course downstream of the put-in I've described and consequentially miss the three best rapids on the run. From the put-in there is a short stretch of flatwater meandering through pastureland. There are three rapids in quick sequence with an abundance of surfing opportunities. These rate a II or II+ with the only real concern being a midstream pile of debris from a former bridge in a rapid that sweeps left. The old bridge abutments are easily visible from upstream. Get left and stay left. The Hwy. 23 bridge comes shortly and is followed by a short flat stretch. The next bridge is the put in for many people and signals the start of a several mile long stretch of class I-II/II water. The creek passes through a golf course so make sure your helmet is on. There is a small dam in the golf course with a runnable center chute. At the right level, pop ups can be had here. The remainder of the run is continuous easy play water until the pool of the Illinois River is reached. Check this out if the Vermilion is high. The play is not as big but there is a hell of a lot more of it.

thanks to Dag Grada for the description on this run