Little Vermilion, Illinois, US

N3179 Rd to I&M Canal (Canal St/Rockwell Rd, La Salle) (6.5 miles) (Little V)

Joe C. on the Little V.

Joe C. on the Little V.
Photo of Joe C. by Brandon Royer

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
BIG BUREAU CREEK AT PRINCETON, IL
usgs-05556500	300 - 2250 cfs	I-II(III)	29d07h31m	~ 333 cfs (rc= 0.0 )
	Likely 200-600 cfs. Likely low-to moderate flows. Little Vermilion flows may be roughly 2/3 the listed flow for Big Bureau Creek. (Correlation is not assured.)

River Description

Quick Facts:

Location: NorthCentral IL, North of LaSalle, running into LaSalle.
Shuttle Length: 6 miles. (See details in "Directions" Tab.)
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: 125 sq.mi. (at former gauge site near take-out).

Put-in is approximately 565' elevation.
Take-out is approximately 450' elevation.
Thus total elevation change is approximately 115'.

General Overview

Google Maps has excellent resolution aerials of this reach. We highly recommend going to the "Map" tab, clicking 'Satellite', double clicking near (not on, but near) the icon marking the mini-canyon, zooming to the maximum resolution (without losing image), 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'. Scouting Canyon Rapids is advisable, as it almost always 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.

Check out a short video (from YouTube) in the 'mini canyon':