Vermilion River (Illinois)

LENGTH, CLASS II-III, GRADIENT:

SEASON: The first river to open up at the end of winter. The river is sometimes boated in the early summer or after intense rainstorms but we usually find more interesing options.

PUT-IN: To get to the river from the north, take Hwy. 39/51 south towards Peru. Cross the Illinois River on the north side of Oglesby and take Hwy. 71 east across the Vermillion River. After crossing the bridge take the next road (Hwy. 23) to the south towards another bridge across the Vermillion which serves as the takeout. To get to the put-in continue east on Hwy. 71 until you reach Hwy. 178. Take this road straight south until you reach the Vermilion bridge near Lowell. Parking is available on the downstream river right side of the bridge.

TAKEOUT: The next bridge downstream.

GAGE: USGS gage near Leonore, see staff gage notes provided by Ashley Sweda

FUN FACT: Something to do in February when the snow conditions turn too crappy for skiing but there is still too much ice to boat anywhere else.

SHUTTLE: See above or check out this map

This river is the only true whitewater run in Illinois. It can be a fun play run at really high water for experienced kayakers. At lower flows it holds less interest for kayaking. The fun starts at the put-in where some nice surfing waves develop. A particularly sweet front surfing wave can be found just a short ways downstream from the put-in.

The most significant drop on the run is Wildcat Rapid which is worth a scout. You can recognize the approach by huge boulders on river right just after the river takes a bend towards the right. This drop is adjacent to a state park.

The character of the run turns quite industrial when you reach the Marquette Cement Company. What a site on a cold winter day. Stay alert for the low head dam here. A sign across the river provides a warning. There was a death on this river recently when two men in a raft chose a line that went over the center of the dam (reported in the Sept./Oct. 1996 American Whitewater Journal). It was a classic low-head dam fatality. The victim was not wearing a PFD. His companion was recirculated in the hyraulic and beaten by rebar before washing out. Low head dams are death traps! Sometimes there is a sneak around this dam on river right especially at high water, but get out and take a look and portage if you have any question. The cement company has allowed people to portage on river left, but most prefer the route on river right. There is also a lot of crap in the river here. Stay clear of the rebar.

More detailed information on this run with several photos is available at the Rivers-End website.