DuPage

A put-in is available off of Black Road, at the (Hammel Woods Campground, Dog Park, and) DuPage River Access.

As of August, 2021, the Hammel Woods Dam has finally been removed. It appears a small shoals creates an area of waves just upstream from the former dam location.

An access 100 feet downstream of the former dam site had been a very common put-in location for area paddling groups, clubs, and for those tubing the river, and remains an alternate put-in.

This is less than a Class I rapid (really just a riffle), but offers beginners an introduction to surfing and flat spinning.

At 200 cfs it is difficult to access due to shallowness, and at 600 cfs it washes out, becoming barely discernable.

Turtle Hill Park is a neighborhood walking/play park. There is no parking available so this is not a reasonable access point.

This is an old rock dam with many blown out sections. It is shallow but at flows above around 400 cfs provides some opportunity to “ferry across” from eddy to eddy across the blown out sections.

On maps, it may appear that “Shorewood Park” might serve as an access point. However, (as is the case many locations on this river) this area is surrounded by private property and is not an access point.

After the rock dam, shortly after a bend to the right, the West Seil Road Bridge comes into view. Just past the bridge, Seil Road Park sits river-right, and can be a convenient lunch spot. Again, this is a walking/play park for the neighborhood, with no parking available, so this site is not an access location (except perhaps as a “drop and run” put in, using a shuttle buddy/bunny).

Just downstream of the park, a rather large island splits the river. (The island appears to be private property.) Paddlers should stay river left of the island except at perhaps the highest flows (e.g. above 2000 cfs). There is a brook that cuts through the upper section of the island. This spot is a good learning/teaching spot for ferrying across cross-current and peeling out into current.

River Crossing Park runs along the East side (river left) of this bridge and may serve as an access (put-in/take-out) point. Street parking on either side of River Crossing Road just east of the bridge is available. There appears to be no parking on River Road that parallels West side of the river.

Riffles and Fishnet. After some flat water leaving Shepley, there are two more features before the Minooka take-out:

Riffles (Mile 5.5). As West Canal Road starts to turn away from the river, a small horizon line appears signifying minor Class 0+ riffles. Stay left to avoid scrapping. This is a good location to teach beginners basic river running: Horizon Line, identifying best path, etc.

Fishnet (Mile 5.71): A series of small islands and inlets mark a quarter-mile section of river best described as “fishnet”. Just follow the flow to not get sidetracked by dead-ends. The end of Fishnet will be marked by a campground on river right at about mile 6.18. This is a fun little section for beginners to learn river running and boat control.

After the I-80 shallows the entrance to “S-Curve” begins. In the approach to “S-Curve”, look for shallow, smooth, glassy waves created by small ledges. At some flows these ledge waves may allow for flat surfing, especially in long boats. Eddy service allows for ferry practice back and forth across the river. Ferry practice is available throughout the entire S-Curve.

On the river right (alongside palisades-like 10-foot high sedimentary rock cliffs), look for eddies that allow for peel-out practice. The first of these is the first significant eddy line on the river. Many beginners have been rejected or flipped here.

As you leave S-Curve, look for opportunity to catch the occasional eddy/surf wave on river left while approaching Railroad.

Note on Rating: For a person simply “bombing” the run, this is clearly a Class I rapid in the AW the international rating system. However, for those attempting intermediate whitewater moves, this section borders on Class II.

Stay river left leaving S-Curve heading into Railroad. There are rather large eddies both river left and river right, although most move left to right to catch river right eddy above the RR bridge. This location offers some common drill work such as:

Leave river right eddy, to behind rock close to river left shore, surf the rock, leave and enter river left eddy. Paddle up and ferry back to river right eddy.

Catch eddy behind bridge abutment, paddle up river right and attain river right eddy above.

Ferry river right shore eddy to ledge wave river left.

Catch river left eddy to paddle up and catch ledge wave.

Note: This bridge pier, as all bridge piers, has a tendency to accumulate wood. Be aware of strainer hazards.

Shortly after leaving Railroad, one enters a slight narrowing of the river identified by old bridge abutments and overhead high-tension power lines. At some flows, this short section of river provides some fun splishy-splashy wave trains, but usually not much surfing or ferrying opportunity.

A dog-leg to the right marks the end of this section and the approach to Shepley Road.

Shepley Road has been a common take-out for the DuPage, although not an official river access point. The property on river right at the bridge is owned and maintained by the Forest Preserve District of Will County (IL), and is posted accordingly. About 100 yards downstream the riverbank reverts to private property.

There have been some access problems (see comments related to access issues at this location). As a result, other access points may need be used instead.

Only those with good boat control should consider moving past the Shepley Road Bridge due to the increased hazards that follow. Just downstream of the bridge, some shoals divert water strongly to the right, making a nice wave train BUT also a risk of entangling with deadfall. More skilled paddlers will enjoy catching the micro eddies in swift current here.

After Fishnet, there is a little over a mile of basically flat-water paddle to the Minooka DuPage River Canoe and Kayak Access on McEvilly Road. There is a small parking lot (three regular and one handicap spot). The access is on the north side of McEvilly Road immediately east of the bridge.

For those so inclined, another 2.5 miles paddling flat-water downstream of this take-out will bring the paddler to the confluence of the DuPage River and the I&M Canal in Channahon, IL. A run-of-the-river dam here should be portaged.

There is an interesting dam, lock, and lock-house at this site which is on public land. However, rather than paddling to it (and dealing with that portage), this site might be better visited by car after taking out at McEvilly Road. The park does have ample parking.