Vermilion

https://www.shawlocal.com/news-tribune/news/local/2021/12/11/dangerous-low-head-dam-in-vermilion-river-near-oglesby-will-be-removed/

I kayaked the river on May 4th, 2010 at 350 cfs. The river is closed because of a dispute with the cement company at the damn. Wildcat is completely different than shown in the videos, even after the landslide. It looks like the cement company piled boulders across most of the river to discourage paddlers. It was impassable except for a huge drop on river right with an immediate left turn to avoid a huge rock forming a wall at the bottom of the drop. This is A class III+ now.

Always scout Wildcat as it changes dramatically with water levels. The line is left of center at 7000 cfs.

Bridge by the take out is under construction. Plan for this when running shuttle.

\\\* IDNR, Buzzi Unicem USA Agree to Open Vermilion River *** See article for details: http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/PressRelease/DNR-VermilionRiverAgreementFINAL.pdf

Per an article dated Friday, June 4, 2010 in the News Tribune (http://www.newstrib.com/articles/news/local/default.asp?article=21311&aname=Buzzi%2C+rafting+company+sued+in+drowning):

“The company continues to enforce its private property rights on this stretch of the river, and has been informed that law enforcement officers arrested as many as nine people for trespassing on the company’s property over this past weekend alone,” said vice president David Rifkind. “While the company continues to work diligently with the (Illinois Department of Natural Resources), public access to the company’s property will not be allowed until such time as the state makes an announcement that IDNR has opened the river for public recreation.”

Buzzi/Unicem Cement Plant has closed the Vermilion River after a fatal accident at their low head dam on June 25th. We are seeking any help we can get in our campaign to have the river re-opened. Anyone who knows anything about the laws regarding ownership of the actual river or how this is determined, please let me know.
We have seen that most accidents on the river here include the use of alcohol, which is strongly discouraged. It is our opinion that neither the cement plant or the outfitter that rented the party that was killed their equipment was responsible. Thousands of people every year enjoy the scenic beauty and the thrill of the whitewater on this stretch of the Vermilion without incident. Please contact me at Smokinmedic@hotmail.com if you would like to back us in our fight to have the river re-opened. We need all the support we can get. Thank you in advance and I hope to hear from lots of you!

The steep wall on river right of Wildcat Rapid has had a serious landslide within the last week. A majority of the eddy on river right of Wildcat has been filled in by the landslide and many large boulders, including one that is about the size of a large tractor, are now river side. I almost didn't recognize it. At the level yesterday (about 4,500 cfs) there was a surfable hole with a low hanging tree above the hole. At this level the rapid is still very runnable even with the tree, but the landslide looks very fresh a may still be settling. Its difficult to say how lower or higher levels will be affected, if at all.