Little Grassy Creek
Downstream of dam at Little Grassy Lake (0.2 mile)
| Difficulty | II-III+(IV) |
| Length | 0.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 2, 2019 |
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.
River Features
Parking Area
There is a parking area at the spillway. This area is popular among fisherman and locals.
Keep a low profile, and keep your gear locked. (At least once, a boat was stolen off of a roof rack here.)
Little Grassy Lake Spillway (Drainage: ~15.5 sq.mi.)
Do not run this spillway! It is illegal. People have been injured and killed here.
Little Grassy Wave
Great Beginner surf spot and 360 hole.
Little Grassy Shoals (Boogie water)
Runout water is deceptively fast. (It looks like the water is fast, but it is actually even FASTER!) 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, so start your move early!
Table Rock Hole
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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