Little Grassy Creek, IL

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Downstream of dam at Little Grassy Lake (0.2 mile)

Class II-III+(IV)
0.2 Miles

Kenny at Table Rock Hole


Kenny at Table Rock Hole
Photo of Kenny VanStone by Jeremy Webber



River Description

This is "the" playspot for Southern Illinois.
Low Flows (3-6 inches): Class II
Medium Flows (6-12 in): Class II+
High Flows (1 foot and up): Class II+ with arguable class III or IV hole at the bottom.

Little Grassy generally runs from December through Mid-Spring following a good rain event. The water spills over the dam on Little Grassy Lake and flows across 100 yards of bedrock. In that stretch are two holes. The top hole, even at high flows, is relatively mild. The bottom hole has a large undercut boulder situated just downstream. Most of the flow goes river-right of the boulder so there is not much water pushing into the undercut. However, it is something to be aware of.

At medium flows, this hole is at its best. The water covers the undercut and the hole grows wider and steeper. It is still too shallow for vertical moves but it allows for all day spins. At high flows, this hole is river wide and is quite retentive. If you are playing the top hole and are blown downstream, punch the lower hole river-right. If you do not hit this at the correct speed or angle you may be in for a long surf! There are exit points to the left and right, but the trough is deep and it will take some effort to get out. Very few have had the nerve to play this hole intentionally at high flows. There are no eddys below the top hole at high flows. So, if you don't feel like you want to try the bottom hole, don't try the top hole. If you wash out of the top hole in mid-stream, you will have no choice but to try the bottom.


StreamTeam Status: unverified
Last Updated: 2005-10-11 11:42:48

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Little Grassy Wave


Little Grassy Wave  Little Grassy Creek IL
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Little Grassy


Little Grassy  Little Grassy Creek IL
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Little Grassy Creek


Little Grassy Creek  Little Grassy Creek IL
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Little Grassy Creek


Little Grassy Creek  Little Grassy Creek IL
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Little Grassy Spillway


Little Grassy Spillway  Little Grassy Creek IL
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Table Rock Hole


Table Rock Hole  Little Grassy Creek IL
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Table Rock Hole


Table Rock Hole  Little Grassy Creek IL
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Little Grassy


Little Grassy  Little Grassy Creek IL
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Little Grassy


Little Grassy  Little Grassy Creek IL
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Gauge Description:

There is a gauge on the south side of the dam that is visible by looking over the edge of the parking lot. The better measure, however, is to look at the creek from the road. If it looks like there is enough water, there is. If it looks menacing, then count on a monster hole at the bottom.

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Rapid Summary

Mile Rapid Name Class Features (Legend)
0.0Parking AreaPutin
0.0Little Grassy Lake Spillway5.0Portage Hazard Waterfall Photo
0.0Little Grassy WaveIIPlayspot Photo
0.0Little Grassy Shoals (Boogie water)II+Photo
0.2Table Rock HoleII+Hazard Playspot Photo
0.2TakeoutTakeout

Rapid Descriptions

Parking Area

There is a parking area right above the spillway. This area is popular among fisherman and locals. Try to keep a low profile and keep your gear locked. A boat was stolen off of a roof rack last year.

Little Grassy Lake Spillway (Class 5.0, Mile 0.0)

Little Grassy Spillway

Little Grassy Spillway
Photo by Steve Krake @ 3-6 inches


Do not run this spillway! It is illegal. People have been injured and killed here.

Little Grassy Wave (Class II, Mile 0.0)

Little Grassy

Little Grassy
Photo by Steve Krake @ 3-6 inches


Great Beginner surf spot and 360 hole.

Little Grassy Shoals (Boogie water) (Class II+, Mile 0.0)

Little Grassy Creek

Little Grassy Creek
Photo by Steve Krake @ 3-6 inches

Little Grassy is deceptively fast. It looks like the water is moving fast, but it is actually moving even FASTER! From the first wave to the bottom, the streambed is solid bedrock, so there is nothing slowing down the water. At all levels, it is difficult to move from left to right (right is virtually always where you want to end up when you get to the bottom hole) because the water is typically shallow. At high levels, there is water to grab with your paddle, but it is zooming! Just start early!



Table Rock Hole (Class II+, Mile 0.2)

Table Rock Hole

Table Rock Hole
Photo by Steve Krake @ 3-6 inches


360 Spins all day in this hole! It gets big and bad at higher levels and easily jumps to a class III or IV. Surfs Up!
Note: The rock seems to have moved after some high water last spring, the hole is still there, but it is not quite as uniform as it had been.



Takeout


At lower levels walk back upstream along the shore. At higher levels hiking up a hill and through the forest is the only option. It is easiest to hike out on the river right side.





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