The listed USGS gauge is located in Leonore, IL which is quite a ways upstream, so it isn't always spot-on, but is the most reliable online gauging method available.
The river is quite broad, so the suggested minimum of 500 cfs reflects the fact that many areas will become quite a scrape below this level. The 'maximum' 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 generalities 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. |
| All time minimum daily mean flow | 5 cfs (Feb.1-5, 1961; Dec.21-24, 1963) |
| 90% of time flow exceeds | 11 cfs |
| 10% of time flow exceeds | 3,050 cfs |
| All time maximum daily mean flow | 25,600 cfs (1958.07.15) |
| 10/90 ratio ('flashy-ness') (under 3 is quite steady, over 10 is quite 'flashy') |
277 |
| Based upon USGS historical data and the listed 'recommended minimum' level, expect this reach to be runnable (>min) 128 days per year (on average). |
|
Note: the present-day USGS gauge referred to (at Leonore) 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' of the gauge, the gauge at Leonore should be quite accurate for levels in the whitewater reach described here.
VERMILION RIVER NEAR LEONORE, IL [ IL ] |
Current Conditions
Station Graphs |
| Level Legend: | Running | Below Minimum Recommended Flow | Above Maximum Recommended Flow | Unknown |
| State | River Name/Section | Class | Level | Rel. Level | Updated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IL | Bailey Creek— N2300 Rd to Vermilion River (0.5-1.5 miles) | I-II(IV) | 3.02 ft* | low | 8/21 13:45 | |
| IL | Vermilion— Cty Rd just NW of Hwy 178 to Oglesby Cutoff (Cty 23) (7.7 miles) | II-III | 33 cfs | low | 8/21 13:45 |
| AW Gauge ID: | 2494 |
| USGS Station: | 05555300 |
| HUC: | 07130002 |
| Latitude: | 41.2083 |
| Longitude: | -88.9308 |
| Class: | -1 |
