Lusk Creek, Illinois, US
|
|
Lusk Creek Canyon (4.5 miles)
| Usual Difficulty |
I-III (varies with level) |
| Avg. Gradient |
22 fpm |
Canyon Overlook
Canyon OverlookPhoto of Overlooking Mellow Section of Lusk Creek by Photo Courtesy of Gib Egge - College of DuPage - Field and Experiential Learning taken 05/07/03 @ 235 cfs/Not Running
Gauge Information
| Name |
Range |
Difficulty |
Updated |
Level |
|
LUSK CREEK NEAR EDDYVILLE, IL
|
|
usgs-03384450 |
400 - 1500 cfs
|
I |
01h29m |
20
cfs
(rc= -0.9 ) |
Too low. Gauge (42.9 sq.mi. drainage) is 3.75 miles downstream. Drainage at listed take-out is well under half (0.41*) drainage at gauge. |
River Description
Lusk Creek is the most well-known whitewater run in Southern Illinois. It is one of the most
pristine waterways in the state and is up for consideration as a National Wild & Scenic
River. It is currently protected as a National Forest Wilderness area and sections as an
Ecological Area.
The creek starts out in woodland bottoms with relatively minor gradient but soon is surrounded by
rocky hillsides and cliffs. The culmination of these cliffs come in Lusk Creek Canyon where the
cliffs rise directly out of the water to heights over one-hundred feet. After
the canyon section, the cliffs recede and the creek is surrounded by forest for the final
mile.
Rapids on this creek at low to moderate levels are Class II in nature. However, this is
not a good beginner run. This creek flows through forests before entering the canyon.
Due to regular flash floods, this run is strewn with wood. Much of this run is
boat scoutable but quick eddy turns or ferries may be necessary to avoid strainers. Generally,
routes around these strainers can be found, but be alert. There is one mandatory
portage on Lusk Creek at the end of the canyon where two large boulders have seemed to
catch every log that has ever floated into them. The safest portage is through a small boulder
garden on river right.
StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2009-06-06 17:55:32
Editors
No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. 
User Comments
the water at 4 p.m. with the USGS gauge downstream reading 2,630 cfs. It would rise while we were
on it to almost 4,000 cfs. It was certainly Class III+, with some Class IV spots that looked
impossible because of strainers. The Rock Garden, just downstream from the Kitchen, was unrunnable.
My buddy flipped on some huge waves just upstream from where Bear Branch enters and had to kick
out, losing his kayak. Found it the next day at the Rock Garden, pinned 10 ft. up. We were very
lucky. Anything over 1,000 cfs is serious whitewater, and proper gear and training are an absolute
must. That being said, it was the float of my life and couldn't be happier to have experienced it.
size of small homes. The last time I paddled it it wasnt necessary, but the wood is always moving
in there so there is no telling now. Edit
chance for rain!! Me and some buddies did it. It rose to over 4000, and frankly we are lucky to
have gotten out of there with our lives!We thought we were going to meet our maker at a couple
different points. We'd heard people say to not try it if it gets that high, but we decided to any
way. Stay Away in those conditions! Edit
there are really bad strainers formed by wood at most bends in the river. Lot's of wood piles near
all the rapids. I am talking about Lusk Creek. Don't know Bear Creek. Freddie Edit
walls and small, tall waterfalls. However, there are several class II to class III rapids leading
up to the canyon if the flow is above 400 CFS. There is also a large standing wave immediately
downstream from the mandatory portage at the bottom of the canyon. At flows above 1000-1500 CFS,
Lusk becomes more difficult and it is not recommended. Bear Branch is much steeper and more
difficult than Lusk Creek. It has a much smaller drainage area and, therefor, lower flows than
Lusk, which can be nice. However, if you follow Bear Branch (at a decent flow) all the way to Lusk,
Lusk may be over 1000 CFS. Edit