Little Vermilion
N3179 Rd to I&M Canal (Canal St/Rockwell Rd, La Salle) (6.5 miles)(Little V)
| Difficulty | I-II(III) |
| Length | 6.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 17 fpm |
| Reach Info Last Updated | March 13, 2025 |
River Description
Quick Facts:
Location: NorthCentral IL, North of LaSalle, running into LaSalle.
Shuttle Length: 6 miles / 12 minutes Click here for shuttle directions
Character: Mostly a 'rural' feel (except as passing under I80, and while alongside massive quarry operation). Mostly open stream, with playwaves and a mini-canyon.
Drainage at put-in: 73.8 sq.mi.
Drainage at take-out: 127 sq.mi. (making a 72% increase)
Put-in is approximately 565' elevation.
Take-out is approximately 450' elevation.
Thus total elevation change is approximately 115', making 17.7 FPM overall.
General Overview
Google Maps has excellent resolution aerials of this reach. We highly recommend going to the 'Map' tab, clicking 'Topo' to change to 'Satellite', zoming in at the icon marking the mini-canyon, and doing a 'virtual tour' to 'walk' down the reach. (There's not a lot to see above the mini-canyon, and satellite resolution fails the first half-mile of the run.)
Please respect privacy of property owner at put-in. Launch close to bridge.
This creek has a bit more substantial watershed than some of the other listed creeks in the area (Bailey, Cedar, Covel, Spring, Tomahawk), so has a better chance of being runnable. When 'up', it makes a fine companion piece for the commonly boated section on the main Vermilion.
Numerous small playwaves, and a class III triple-drop 'canyon' (pushing III+/IV- at high flows). Scouting Canyon Rapids is advisable, as it often has at least one strainer. Be alert for poison ivy on shore. Air quality (and water quality) can be 'iffy', as there is some quarrying and other heavy industry nearby.
River Features
Put In
Triple Drop 'Mini-canyon'
Get out to scout the mini-canyon from river left. (Watch out for poison ivy!) There are huge boulders in the stream forming three drops in quick succession in just over 0.1 mile here. At high water, this can be a real handful (especially if you are in a playboat rather than a downriver boat or creek boat).
old weir/dam
A small weir/dam might provide some play at some optimum water levels, but far more times may dish out danger. While never all that much of a drop, the boil line may trap those who do not successfully land a 'boof', keep perpendicular to the current, and paddle out of the boil.
Be prepared to scout and possibly portage. Very strongly advised not to run this unless you have enough people in your group who have throw ropes and experience in swift-water rescue techniques. Extracting a boater (or their boat, recirculating in the boil at the dam) requires equipment (throw ropes), knowledge, and skills to ensure not giving the river another victim!
Take Out
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