Rock, Wisconsin, US

Indianford / Janesville Dams (PnP)

Indianford Gates

Indianford Gates
Photo by Rob Smage taken 05/24/10 @ 3440 cfs

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
ROCK RIVER AT INDIANFORD, WI
usgs-05427570	2400 - 5600 cfs	I	01h35m	~ 1660 cfs (rc= -0.4 )
	Too low; likely no play available. Gauging at this site is a bit complex, dependent upon not only the river flow, but upon how many gates (and which gates) are open on the dam.

River Description

At Indianford, in general you don't want to mess with the main width of the dam. Across that whole width, there is large rock rubble (in the landing zone and outflow) which is used to reduce/eliminate hydraulic scouring of the riverbed. However, the left-most part of the dam has releasable gates. Depending upon flow, and which gates on the dam are open, there can be a sweet wave where the outflow from those gates hits the pool below.

Gauging can be a bit funky, since the nature of this wave will depend upon how many (and possibly which specific) gates are open, and also upon the downstream river level. Which is to say, a certain reported flow (or flow range) one time may be producing a wonderful fast playable wave, and at some other time the same reported flows may not produce anything remotely worthwhile!

If you are 'skunked' here, you may wish to check out the area downstream of the lower dam in Janesville, which (reportedly) can offer some tame whitewater/swiftwater practice and play (see 'Rapids' tab and additional photos on Photo tab). Also, when at Indianford, you are not far from the Yahara River and the Badfish River, either of which can offer a nice float trip with some (admittedly generally quite minor) play possibilities.

If neither of those work out for you, you may wish to check out the dam described in the listing at Rockton, IL.