Vermilion, |
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| Name | Range | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| VERMILION RIVER NEAR LEONORE, IL | 500 - 10000 cfs | 01h02m | 962 cfs (rc= 0.2 ) |
!!! Warning !!! - River Access Closed - See comments- 4/13/09
!!! Warning !!! - See comments about rockslide at wildcat - 4/13/09
Quick Facts:
Location: NorthCentral IL, about 4 miles SE of Oglesby (near Starved Rock SP and Matthiessen
SP).
Shuttle Length: 5.6 miles. (See details in "Directions" Tab.)
Character: Very scenic rural stream. High bluffs in places. Wide open rapids (with exception of
Wildcat).
Drainage: 1278 sq.mi. (at former gauge site at put-in).
Put-in is approximately 510' elevation.
Take-out is approximately 450' elevation.
Thus total elevation change is approximately 60'.
General Overview
Google Maps has excellent resolution aerials of this reach. We highly recommend going to the
"Map" tab, clicking 'Satellite', double clicking near (not on, but near) the put-in location
icon, zooming to the maximum resolution (without losing image), and doing a 'virtual tour' to
'walk' down the reach.
The Vermilion River in LaSalle County (there are two Vermilion's in Illinois) is
a class II-III whitewater river in Northern Illinois. The early going runs through Matthiessen
State Park. Downstream, quite a bit of the property is owned by a private cement company.
Large bluffs and a 'canyon' (by Illinois standards) surround quite a bit of this run.
The Vermilion is wide, and when running at better levels (over 1000 cfs) becomes quite pushy in
places. However, the fact that it is very 'pool/drop' (you have at least a half mile between
rapids) makes it (at most levels) an excellent place for beginning whitewater boaters.
Put-in access is at a commercial rafting outfitters (be respectful of their property and their
customers). Many private boaters will carry a quarter-mile or so upstream to put in upstream of
the highway bridge to play a fine series of waves and holes which exist up there. (In winter
months, this area may often be free enough of ice that it can offer some 'park-and-play'
opportunities.)
There are two places of potential concern (particularly for novice boaters). The first is
Wildcat. Keep to the right side at normal flows, and be aware that it has a tendency to collect
whole trees. A recent landslide has made the right shore unstable at this location and
increased the likelyhood of trees or rocks gathering in wildcat. Scouting should be considered
mandatory. Because of the unstable conditions on the right shore and private property issues on
the left shore, scouting/portaging should be done quickly. The left shore is safer, but boaters
should stay close to the water and minimize their presence there to avoid landowner
confrontations.
The second area to be cautious is at the cement factory where there is a low head dam with a
broken-out 'notch' on the right side. Scouting and possibly portaging the low head dam is highly
recommended for novice paddlers at low-to-moderate flows (under 1500 cfs or so).
There is a hand painted boater's gauge at the Lowell put-in that most folks use to describe the
level. A conversion chart from USGS flow information is at http://www.wpr.pair.com/vermilion/
Other Vermilion Websites:
http://www.rivers-end.org/vermilion/
http://www.wpr.pair.com/vermilion/
Notes:
There have been periodic issues with parking at the takeout. A parking ban (which had been
discussed and in place for a short time) appears now to have been delayed indefinitely. A
suitable alternative (permanent solution) is being worked on. In the meantime, be sure to be
courteous when in the area, and be careful at the takeout (parking and changing) so as not to
cause any problems.
The USGS gauge referred to (at Leonore) is about 8 miles upstream of the put-in. It lists drainage area of 1251 square miles, which is only 2-3% less drainage area than at the put-in (and former gauge site) at Lowell. Thus, (other than for the lead/lag time associated with the intervening distance), the gauge at Leonore should generally be quite accurate for determining levels in the whitewater reach described here.
The suggested minimum (500 cfs) reflects the fact that the river is quite broad, so many areas will become quite a scrape below this level.
The suggested maximum (4,000 cfs) is set only to indicate levels above the 'norm'. Somewhere around this level some features will wash out (including Wildcat, normally the biggest drop on the river!), while others just get AWESOME! Thus, many boaters will thrill to see this river 'go purple'.
Most boaters historically have referred to a gauge painted on the bridge at (above) the put-in. There are approximations of the correlation of the Lowell bridge gauge to the USGS Lenore gauge at http://www.rivers-end.org/vermilion/ and http://www.wpr.pair.com/vermilion/
There was a USGS gauge at the Lowell bridge for forty years (1931-1971). While the nature of the overall watershed most certainly has likely changed somewhat in the interim (due to increased urbanization) and climate shifts may have some effect, the following analysis from that data period should still have some relevance.
| Gauge/flow analysis (based on USGS data, 1931-1971, at Lowell) | |
| Drainage area at gauge | 1,278 sq.mi. |
| Minimum daily mean flow during recording period (occurred 1961.02.01-05; 1963.12.21-24) | 5 cfs |
| 90% of time flow exceeds | 11 cfs |
| 10% of time flow exceeds | 3,050 cfs |
| Maximum daily mean flow during recording period (occurred 1958.07.15) | 25,600 cfs |
| 10/90 ratio ('flashy-ness') (under 3 is quite steady, over 10 is quite 'flashy') |
277 |
| Average annual runnable (>min) days per year based upon USGS historical data and the listed 'recommended minimum' level, Note: some of those days may be winter, when ice would preclude safe paddling. |
128 |
| Name | Range | Updated | Level | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VERMILION RIVER NEAR LEONORE, IL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| usgs-05555300 | 500 - 10000 cfs | 01h02m | 962 cfs (rc= 0.2 ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vermillion River [IL] |
39475.jpeg
|
1165cfs | Nathan Anderson | |
| Vermilion [IL] |
Throwing ends in Wildcat
|
1200 cfs | Erik Johnson | |
| 126d19h40m | ermillion River from undercut rock to Oglesby take out [IL] | Vermilion River Closed by Buzzi/Unicem Cement Plant | n/a | n/a |
| 1y351d06h47m | Vermillion River [IL] |
39479.jpeg
|
1165cfs | Nathan Anderson |
| 2y244d15h47m | Vermilion [IL] |
Vermilion Put-in
|
2,500cfs | Dave Worth |
| 5y118d15h47m | Vermilion [IL] |
Swimming Wildcat
|
around 5ft | craig carlson |
| 5y300d15h47m | Vermilion [IL] |
Surfing Wildcat
|
4 feet | Erik Johnson |
| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| -0.3 | Put-in | II |    |
| 0.7 | S-Turn | II | |
| 1.2 | Hole in the Rock | II | |
| 1.7 | The Cliff | I | |
| 4.0 | Wildcat | III+ | |
| 4.3 | Bailey Creek |  | |
| 5.0 | Railroad | I | |
| 5.8 | The Dam | II |  |
| 5.9 | The Narrows | II | |
| 6.0 | Side Creek | | |
| 7.7 | Take-out |  |
Carry down an excellent path from the road by the rafting outfitters. You can put-in right there, but many will opt to carry upstream as much as a quarter-mile to put in above the highway bridge. A sweet series of waves are scattered across the wide river. Some will offer repeat play, but more will be 'catch-on-the-fly', one-shot play.
A couple of large tables of rock channel water between them. A funky wave forms here.
The river encounters a tall cliff face and deflects to the left. At the end of the cliff, a fine eddy and deep water allow great bow stalls and stern squirts.
|
This is (usually) the highlight of the run. At levels from minimums (500 or below) to medium flows (1500 - 2000 cfs or more) a smooth shallow wave/trough leads in to a big hole with strong turbulent outflow. Eddy service usually allows repeat play (though can be challenging to regain at some levels). Shallow rocks in the outflow may be brutal. |
At lower levels the line is fairly clear (stay in the center of the main flow. Around 2500-3500, this may merit scouting, as it develops a mean wrapping wave and serous turbulence in the outflow. Amazingly, this area completely (yes, completely!) washes out somewhere up in the 4000-6000 cfs range.
Spring 2009 a cave-in/landslide on river-right has altered the right side of this drop. Additional slumping of this bank will continue with heavy rains and subsequent springs. A good video accounting of the present situation (2009.04.22):
When flows are right, a pleasant diversion is to carry up this side creek to run a grungy falls. See the full description of Bailey Creek
A wonderful wave forms here at a good variety of flows. Rocks on shore are often used as a lunch stop.
An old dam has a broken notch to river right. At low-to-moderate flows, this may merit scouting. Up around 3000 cfs, it is still easiest at river right, but it can be run virtually anywhere, with the warning that anywhere other than far right will have some real funky waves and boils to contend with. At higher flows, relatively little sign of the dam may be seen.
A bend and a narrowing in the river form some compression waves. As flows increase, thise build nicely into a great rollercoaster ride. And, one can paddle up the inside of the bend to regain all the way up to the first wave!
Another pleasant diversion (after all the action on the run) is to paddle up a side canyon to view a tall waterfall in a sandstone grotto.
It's a fair climb up and out of the river to the roadside where your shuttle vehicles may be parked.
River Alert
State News
River Links
NWRI - Vermilion Hwy 178 to Ed Hand Hwy. (7.7 miles) *** ACCESS ISSUE *** (mobile)
User Comments
dam on June 25th. We are seeking any help we can get in our campaign to have the river re-opened.
Anyone who knows anything about the laws regarding ownership of the actual river or how this is
determined, please let me know. We have seen that most accidents on the river here include the use
of alcohol, which is strongly discouraged. It is our opinion that neither the cement plant or the
outfitter that rented the party that was killed their equipment was responsible. Thousands of
people every year enjoy the scenic beauty and the thrill of the whitewater on this stretch of the
Vermilion without incident. Please contact me at Smokinmedic@hotmail.com if you would like to back
us in our fight to have the river re-opened. We need all the support we can get. Thank you in
advance and I hope to hear from lots of you!
to the cement company, this policy will be strictly enforced. Edit
water was about 20ft at Leonore (9ft at Lowell) and around 16000cfs. At these levels we expected
Wildcat and the dam to be totally washed. We were erroneous in our forecast. The put in was
irregular with about 3 to 4ft waves. The S-turn was beautiful… a solid 6ft+ wave (which we heard
wiped out a raft). Wildcat was a nice wave train about 6ft+ (much bigger on river left) although
there was not much of a hole present at this level. Finally, the NARROWS…… WOW…. I have never seen
it so big. There were 8ft+ irregular waves everywhere. River right was a little smaller but still
chaotic. Although risk was minimal due to the depth of water over the river bed I would still
recommend re-classing this section at this level based on the power and unpredictability of the
water. I RECOMMEND THAT NO ONE TAKE THIS RUN AT THESE LEVELS UNLESS YOU ARE VERY EXPERIENCED WITH
HONED SKILLS….. OR A VERY STRONG SWIMMER FOR LONG DISTANCES WITH NO AIR. Edit
majority of the eddy on river right of Wildcat has been filled in by the landslide and many large
boulders, including one that is about the size of a large tractor, are now river side. I almost
didn't recognize it. At the level yesterday (about 4,500 cfs) there was a surfable hole with a low
hanging tree above the hole. At this level the rapid is still very runnable even with the tree, but
the landslide looks very fresh a may still be settling. Its difficult to say how lower or higher
levels will be affected, if at all.
Hiking my Response down to the Wild Cat for some park and play, before it was called such a thing.
With no trouble! Those days have long since passed with the erection of the big steel gate at the
intersection of 675th rd and 23rd rd. 675th road (even though it as shown as a public road on most
maps) is now closed to the public. Hiking back to Bailey Falls with a boat in your hand is a big no
no, if you step on dry land. Though if you are on a Dirt bike it is O.K.!? For people that have
paddled the Vermillion for several years, it is well known we are NOT WELCOME down stream of the
putin. We have been blocked from having a public putin downstream of the Hwy 23 Bridge. Even though
there is a large public park southwest of the bridge. We have been ticketed for parking our
vehicles along the public right of way near the bridge. We are viewed as hoodlums, litter bugs,
crazy hippies, and the serge of the earth among other things. I also had my first shoulder injury
on the Wild Cat. But I washed up on river right and was able to walk up to the model airplane field
for a rescue. I is sad that I have only paddled the Vermillion once in 5 years when I learned to
kayak on this river. I would much rather drive 5 hours to Wisconsin than drive 2 hours to the
vermillion just because of the hospitality of the people. Edit
he drives a newer red Ford F-150 with Illinois plates 58 565 K. He is not a fan of kayakers and
will do anything to try and have you arrested. The story goes my paddling group was at wildcat when
one of our party injured their shoulder. About 150 feet below wildcat, a trail goes up the cliff
wall, where we drug our injured partner's boat up to and had him wait there. When the rest of us
finished the river, we went to go get him when we encountered one of the "landowners" who have an
easement on the Mining Companies land. We were chewed out for being there and told to get the hell
out or be arrested. We had to call Illinois State Police and an ambulance to retreive our injured
partner. After that, we went to the put-in to get one of our vehicles when THIS TRUCK PULLS UP. The
man inside told us that if we were seen on that road again we would be arrested. This guy doesn't
care about anyone using the river and will try to get anyone in a kayak arrested for trespassing on
the mine's land. Watch out for him and if possible, give him some kayaker justice. Happy Paddling. Edit