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Des Plaines, IL

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a) Bill's Hole: Wheeling, Dam #1 (PnP)

Class II
0.01 Miles

Bill surfs at 470 CFS


Bill surfs at 470 CFS
Photo taken February 06 @ 470 cfs

Gauge Information

Des Plaines
a) Bill's Hole: Wheeling, Dam #1 (PnP) II
med
303
10/11 7:45
[detail]

Min Sug. Level:  150 cfs Max Sug. Level:  1400 cfs

River Description

This park and play feature is located on the DesPlaines River in Wheeling, Illinois. "Bill's Hole" is named afer Bill Kinsella who scouted out the feature and has been using it for years.

Access is from a Cook County Forest Preserve parking lot located at the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Hintz Road. This is located about halfway between Willow/Palatine Road (to the south) and Dundee Road (to the north). Both Willow and Dundee road have exits from the nearby Tri-State Tollway (I-294) located to the east. The feature is accessible and runnable during most of the year. The forest preserve gates are closed at dusk.

The playspot includes two or three different holes, a wave train suitable for surfing, and deep eddylines suitable for squirt moves (about 10-12 ft downstream from the dam). The dam is a two step feature which used to be a ford (low-water vehicle crossing). The river right side of the dam is broken out, giving a shallow, rocky tongue that is runnable at medium levels. The dam itself is runnable at most levels (though at low levels, many will want to put in below the dam to skip the bang and scrape down the concrete).

Signs at the parking lot used to prohibit boating but we are told they have been changed to provide boating regulations. Boaters are encouraged to use the area in a safe and respectful manner to insure continued access to the feature.

Gauge Description
150-250

Broken up rock at the bottom of the dam divide flow into three main holes. All are sticky enough to side surf any boat and will allow limited play in small boats. The holes are very forgiving and will give novice paddlers a nice class II- learning experience. The river right chute provides a surf wave at the bottom. The eddy lines are well defined and strong, giving squirt opportunities to paddlers. 
250-400

The holes gain strength. At the upper end of this range, some of the rubble submerges, limiting exit options in the holes. The river-left holes develop deep ends, making exit more difficult. The river-right hole becomes shallower and stickier and starts to develop a sweet spot. Exit at river-right (surfers-left) is still easily achieved. The wave train at river right diminishes, but surf is still obtainable for the trained eye. At this point the feature is a class II-II+ experience. 
400-800

Good surfs, but not for the faint of heart. At the higher end of this range, the lower step of the dam will be washed out. 
800-1100

The holes merge into one river-wide hole which gets steep, deep and sticky, with a boil line several feet back.

At this level, it is best left for more experienced paddlers (if they even want it) as it is pushing the upper limits of class II and may even be considered class III. 
1100-1400

The hole flattens out as all hints of the dam are submerged. What remains is a sweet, river-wide glassy breaking wave. 
1400+ Virtually all signs of the dam are washed out: all features are gone.


Mike & Judy at 950 CFS

About four miles downriver in Mount Prospect lies Dam#2. Chicago Area Paddling/Fishing Guide suggests that it is "identical" to Dam#1. From a very casual view of construction and basic form that may be true. However, it most certainly does not apply to its potential for play. Dam 2 is not a friendly place to be at most flows. The hike (from the nearest available parking to the dam) is much longer. Once there, at most flows, it is far more the classic low head dam. The space between the first and second ledges is deep, foamy, and highly retentive. If you flip there you are in for a scary time. The play value is very limited, especially considering that Dam 1 is so close by. That said, there may be some levels (perhaps in the 800-1100 range?) where this dam may actually provide better play than Dam#1. (Dam#2 is completely obliterated (swamped, flooded) above about 1000-1100 cfs.)


StreamTeam Status: unverified
Last Updated: 2008-09-14 07:35:14

Search Results

Photos/Videos 1- of 4

Bill surfs at 470 CFS


Bill surfs at 470 CFS  DesPlaines River IL
(20.53KB .jpeg)

Mike at 950 CFS


Mike at 950 CFS  DesPlaines River IL
(18.68KB .jpeg)

Judy at 950 CFS


Judy at 950 CFS  DesPlaines IL
(23.65KB .jpeg)

Mike & Judy at 950 CFS


Mike & Judy at 950 CFS  DesPlaines IL
(21.00KB .jpeg)

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Gauge

Gauge Description:

See river description for description of play available at different gauge levels.

Gauge/flow analysis based on data from 1978-05-17 to 2008-05-16
Drainage area at gauge 360 sq.mi.
Minimum mean daily flow during stated period 32 cfs (1999.09.11)
90% of time during stated period flow exceeds 73 cfs
10% of time during stated period flow exceeds 868 cfs
Maximum mean daily flow during stated period 4,870 cfs (1986.10.01)
10/90 ratio ('flashy-ness')
(under 3 is fairly steady, over 10 is quite 'flashy')		 11.9
Average days per year over recommended 'low' threshold (150 cfs)  235
Average days per year over recommended 'high' threshold (1400 cfs)  16

DES PLAINES RIVER NEAR DES PLAINES, IL [ IL ]

Current Conditions

Stage Flow Updated
1.23 303 10/11 7:45

Station Graphs

Linked Reaches

Search Results

Level Legend: Running Below Minimum Recommended Flow Above Maximum Recommended Flow Unknown
Descriptions of reaches with River Name in bold have been verified by a regional StreamTeam member.

State River Name/Section Class Level Rel. Level Updated
IL Des Plaines— a) Bill's Hole: Wheeling, Dam #1 (PnP) II 303 cfs   med 10/11 7:45

Station Description

AW Gauge ID:2426
USGS Station:05529000
HUC:07120004
Latitude:42.0819
Longitude:-87.8903
Class:5

WXPort

News




icon of message No guide books for this stream. If you know of a book that describes this stream please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run.

User Comments
2008-03-28 09:19:56 (197 days ago)
Hello, Dam 2 is not worth the effort for simple playboating. The CCFP did an excellent job in the construction of a $50,000 canoe launch just before tha dam. The access to the river is unsurpassed to the area with a 100 foot sandy launch (50 feet from the parking lot), 8 X10 wooden river map, (with brochures etc), and is very well maintained by the CCFP and local paddlers. Hope this helps. M.Pond Edit
2006-04-25 10:13:38 (900 days ago)
randy hetfieldDetails
The following was posted on &quot;Paddle, Party, and Play&quot; by Bill Kinsella with regards to Dam #2 located downstream.<br /> <br /> &quot;Dam 2 is not a friendly place to be. There is a hike down to the dam. <br /> Once there it is the classic low head dam with a highly retentive nature. <br /> The space between the first ledge and second is deep and foamy. <br /> If you flip there you are in for a scary time. I have played there a <br /> number of times and the value is very limited especially considering <br /> that Dam 1 is so close by.&quot;<br /> <br />
2006-04-23 10:03:03 (902 days ago)
Rob SmageDetails
Does anyone have information regarding Dam#2, about 4 miles downriver in Mount Prospect? Is it similarly playable? Is there reasonable access?<br /> <br /> Chicago Area Paddling/Fishing Guide (http://pages.ripco.net/~jwn/dam.html#desplaines_river) suggests they are &quot;identical&quot;, though that could be more from a casual view of construction and form, and may not apply to potential for play.
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