Little Vermilion River (Illinois)

LENGTH 7 mi., CLASS II (III+), GRADIENT: 17'/mile

SEASON: Spring or after heavy rains

PUT-IN: After checking the gauge, turn around and head back West until the road you are on ends in a "T" intersection (past 351). Turn right (North) and drive to the first public road on your right (Cty. N3179). Drive to the river, put in on river right downstream of bridge. This is on private property but the owner has been congenial in the past. Please put in close to the bridge and do not obstruct this narrow road. Watch on public nudity as there is more traffic on this road than you might expect.

TAKEOUT: Retrace your path back to Hwy. 351. Turn right on 351 (South) and drive into LaSalle. At the 5th Ave. light turn left (East). Drive about six blocks to Union St. and turn right. Follow Union St. until it ends and turn left across RR tracks (45 degree or so turn). Drive down to river and park by water treatment plant.

GAGE: From the Hwy 351 exit off I-80 North of LaSalle, Head South to first road (1/4 mile or less) and turn left. Drive to river. Gage is on upstream face of center pillar. "0" is runnable but probably not worth it, go to the Vermilion. Consider 6" as a minimum with 18" to 30" being ideal. Above about 42", most of the run washes out and the Canyon starts getting pretty hairy.

FUN FACT: Whitewater in Illionois

SHUTTLE: See above.

The run starts out with nearly continuous class I-II water for perhaps a mile and a half. Great Spring eddy-hopping warm up with a few small playspots. Watch for strainers. After the gauge bridge is passed, there is a mile long stretch of flatwater. Watch for the next bridge (private road) as this indicates that you are a short distance from Canyon Rapids. As the river narrows and turns left over a distinct horizon line, get out left and scout from the canyon wall. Watch for poison ivy. If you are very certain of your boat scouting skills, this is possible but be aware that there are often strainers in very bad places. The drops in Canyon Rapid rate a III-III+ at most levels. The river right channel of the third drop is the most likely location for strainers. At high levels the first drop washes out and the second drop develops a pair of serious holes one after the other. There is a fourth drop (class II) that comes right after the canyon. After a short section of flatwater, there is a low head dam, portageable on either side. A high cinder dump on the right indicates the start of Ashpile Rapids, three pitches class I-II or II. There is industrial debris in the river at this point so upright is good. Downstream is Route 6 Rapids, class II, don't get shoved into the eroding river right bank. Just below the Route 6 bridge is a fun looking playhole on the left. Don't. There is rebar here. If pool level on the Illinois river is down, there is one more small runnable dam. The scenery gets increasingly depressing in the lower reaches so no need to dawdle on the short float out.

thanks to Dag Grada for the description on this run