Des Plaines, Illinois, US |
|
| Usual Difficulty | II (varies with level) |
|---|
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DES PLAINES RIVER NEAR DES PLAINES, IL | ||||
| usgs-05529000 | 250 - 1400 cfs | I-II | 01h04m | 206 cfs (rc= -0.1 ) |
Nominal flow; beginner play level. Gauge (360 sq.mi. drainage) is 3 miles downstream (at dam#2), thus is very accurate for flows at this playspot. |
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This park and play feature is located on the Des Plaines River in Wheeling, Illinois.
"Bill's Hole" is named afer Bill Kinsella who scouted out the feature and has been
using it for years.
Access is from a Cook County Forest Preserve parking lot located at the intersection of Milwaukee
Avenue and Hintz Road. This is located about halfway between Willow/Palatine Road (to the south)
and Dundee Road (to the north). Both Willow and Dundee road have exits from the nearby Tri-State
Tollway (I-294) located to the east. The feature is accessible and runnable during most of the
year. The forest preserve gates are closed at dusk.
The playspot includes two or three different holes, a wave train suitable for surfing, and deep
eddylines suitable for squirt moves (about 10-12 ft downstream from the dam). The dam is a two
step feature which used to be a ford (low-water vehicle crossing). The river right side of the
dam is broken out, giving a shallow, rocky tongue that is runnable at medium levels. The dam
itself is runnable at most levels (though at low levels, many will want to put in below the dam
to skip the bang and scrape down the concrete).
Signs at the parking lot used to prohibit boating but we are told they have been changed to provide boating regulations. Boaters are encouraged to use the area in a safe and respectful manner to insure continued access to the feature.
| Gauge | Description |
| 150-250 |
Broken up rock at the bottom of the dam divide flow into three main holes. All are sticky enough to side surf any boat and will allow limited play in small boats. The holes are very forgiving and will give novice paddlers a nice class II- learning experience. The river right chute provides a surf wave at the bottom. The eddy lines are well defined and strong, giving squirt opportunities to paddlers. |
| 250-400 |
The holes gain strength. At the upper end of this range, some of the rubble submerges, limiting exit options in the holes. The river-left holes develop deep ends, making exit more difficult. The river-right hole becomes shallower and stickier and starts to develop a sweet spot. Exit at river-right (surfers-left) is still easily achieved. The wave train at river right diminishes, but surf is still obtainable for the trained eye. At this point the feature is a class II-II+ experience. |
| 400-800 |
Good surfs, but not for the faint of heart. At the higher end of this range, the lower step of the dam will be washed out. |
| 800-1100 |
The holes merge into one river-wide hole which gets steep, deep and sticky, with a boil line several feet back. At this level, it is best left for more experienced paddlers (if they even want it) as it is pushing the upper limits of class II and may even be considered class III. |
| 1100-1400 |
The hole flattens out as all hints of the dam are submerged. What remains is a sweet, river-wide glassy breaking wave. |
| 1400+ | Virtually all signs of the dam are washed out: all features are gone. |
Mike & Judy at 950 CFS
About four miles downriver in Mount Prospect lies Dam#2. Chicago Area
Paddling/Fishing Guide suggests that it is "identical" to Dam#1. From a very casual
view of construction and basic form that may be true. However, it most certainly does not apply
to its potential for play. Dam 2 is not a friendly place to be at most flows. The hike
(from the nearest available parking to the dam) is much longer. Once there, at most flows, it is
far more the classic low head dam. The space between the first and second ledges is deep, foamy,
and highly retentive. If you flip there you are in for a scary time. The play value is very
limited, especially considering that Dam 1 is so close by. That said, there may be some levels
(perhaps in the 800-1100 range?) where this dam may actually provide better play than Dam#1.
(Dam#2 is completely obliterated (swamped, flooded) above about 1000-1100 cfs.)
See river description for description of play available at different gauge levels.
| Gauge/flow analysis based on data from 1978-05-17 to 2008-05-16 | |
| Drainage area at gauge | 360 sq.mi. |
| Minimum mean daily flow during stated period | 32 cfs (1999.09.11) |
| 90% of time during stated period flow exceeds | 73 cfs |
| 10% of time during stated period flow exceeds | 868 cfs |
| Maximum mean daily flow during stated period | 4,870 cfs (1986.10.01) |
| 10/90 ratio ('flashy-ness') (under 3 is fairly steady, over 10 is quite 'flashy') |
11.9 |
| Average days per year over recommended 'low' threshold (150 cfs) | 235 |
| Average days per year over recommended 'high' threshold (1400 cfs) | 16 |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DES PLAINES RIVER NEAR DES PLAINES, IL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| usgs-05529000 | 250 - 1400 cfs | I-II | 01h04m | 206 cfs (rc= -0.1 ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Nominal flow; beginner play level. |
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|
Gauge (360 sq.mi. drainage) is 3 miles downstream (at dam#2), thus is very accurate for flows at this playspot. |
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| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DesPlaines River [IL] |
Bill surfs at 470 CFS
|
470 cfs | randy hetfield | |
| DesPlaines [IL] |
Mike & Judy at 950 CFS
|
950 CFS | randy hetfield | |
| 5y341d19h48m | DesPlaines River [IL] |
Mike at 950 CFS
|
950 cfs | randy hetfield |
| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Dam #2 | N/A |    |
| 0.0 | Dam | N/A |  |
| 0.0 | Rock-dam/ledge? | N/A | |
| 0.0 | Dam | N/A | |
| 0.0 | Dam | N/A | |
At flows which are generally good play at Dam#1, this location is generally NOT good for eny sort of play. However, that does not preclude the possibility that (at some moderately higher flows) this spot may provide some fine waves for surfing.
In the runout from the prior dam, there appears to be wide, shallow, rocky rips, and (perhaps) a bit of a ledge or rock-dam. This may (at some flows) have the potential for good play (or possibly, at some levels, danger!). We have (unconfirmed) reports of boaters (who have attempted to run/play this area) being warned that they cannot legally access or be in the river in this area.
reach
state
reachlink
a) Wheeling, Dam #1: Bill's Hole (PnP), Des Plaines Illinois, US (mobile)
User Comments
construction of a $50,000 canoe launch just below the dam. The access to the river is unsurpassed
to the area with a 100 foot sandy launch (50 feet from the parking lot), 8 X10 wooden river map,
(with brochures etc), and is very well maintained by the CCFP and local paddlers. This is also the
take put point for the Des Plaines River Canoe Marathon. Thanks Ralph for bringing the river to
attention of area decision makers, thus clearing the way for paddlers young and old. Hope this
helps. M.Pond Edit
Dam #2 located downstream.<br>
<br>
"Dam 2 is not a friendly place to be. There is a hike down to the dam.<br>
Once there it is the classic low head dam with a highly retentive nature.<br>
The space between the first ledge and second is deep and foamy.<br>
If you flip there you are in for a scary time. I have played there a<br>
number of times and the value is very limited especially considering<br>
that Dam 1 is so close by."<br>
<br>
similarly playable? Is there reasonable access?<br>
<br>
Chicago Area Paddling/Fishing Guide (http://pages.ripco.net/~jwn/dam.html#desplaines_river)
suggests they are "identical", though that could be more from a casual view of
construction and form, and may not apply to potential for play.