Perhaps optimum playable flows. (We welcome further input to fine-tune characterization of features at various flows.) Gauge (1732 sq.mi. drainage) is 10 miles upstream. Flow in course may be slightly regulated by stop blocks at head of course. New gauge to be installed at site
River Description
Quick Facts:
Location: Downtown Yorkville (Approximately 12 miles southwest from Aurora, 50 miles southwest of
downtown Chicago).
Shuttle Length: Carry up (park-and-play)
Character: "Playpark" in a constructed channel around a dam on a fairly large watershed
river (therefore almost always at least some playable flow).
General Overview
The 1200' long channel contains two separate channels -- one being class I-II (to allow
recreational canoes and kayaks to safely bypass the dam), the other channel being a
"challenge" channel containing one or two class II-III features. to allow whitewater
boaters a place to practice and play. In all fairness (and in the interests of full disclosure),
this is not a many-featured full-length course (like the East Race in South
Bend, Indiana or the whitewater course in Wausau, Wisconsin). It is primarily a canoe-bypass and
fish ladder, and a couple of mild playspots. However, it is a wonderful and convenient place for
Greater Chicago area (N.E.Illinois) boaters to go play in moving water with playable features,
especially since it is likely to hold sufficient flow to be boatable almost 24/7/365! (OK, a bit
of exaggeration -- it should have adequate flow all summer for at least some mild play, but it is
likely to ice-up and be unavailable in the thick of winter.) Additional facilities
(buildings/retail/concessions) are anticipated to allow for this to become an even better
'training grounds' for prospective whitewater boaters in the Northern Illinois area.
There is a parking lot adjacent to the course on the South side of the river, East of Hwy.47.
The background on this facility is that the dam at this location has been responsible for
more than a dozen deaths, including three Memorial Weekend, 2006 (at a level
around 2250 cfs). So, during the winter of 2008/2009 the dam was reconstructed (so as to not
create such a 'killer hydraulic'). Summer/fall 2009 (continuing into 2010) saw construction on an
adjacent bypass channel, both as a fish ladder, and as a whitewater playpark..
DetailTrip Report
Yorkville Construction Zone
Fox River, IL(4.25MB .jpeg)
Glen Palmer Dam Project Map
DetailTrip Report
Glen Palmer Dam Project Map
Fox River, IL(3.74MB .jpeg)
Gauge Information
Gauge Description:
The designers of the bypass channel whitewater facility have suggested 240 cfs as the likely minimum for reasonable depth and formation of features. The 'sill' of the entry to the bypass is lower than the lip of the dam, so (at times of low flow in the river) the dam may be dry while all water flows through a fish ladder (river-right) and the canoe bypass (river left). There is a movable 'stop log' at the head of the bypass which can (to some extent) alter the flow into the course. It remains to be seen (once the project is completed) what the consensus opinion is on true min/max range for this new waterpark.
Gauge/flow analysis
(based on USGS data, 2002.10.01-2010.08.03)
Drainage area at gauge
1,732 sq.mi.
Minimum daily mean flow (2004.08.24)
96 cfs
90% of time flow exceeds
365 cfs
10% of time flow exceeds
3430 cfs
Maximum daily mean flow (1951.05.01)
15,500 cfs
10/90 ratio ('flashy-ness')
(under 3 is quite steady, over 10 is quite 'flashy')
Perhaps optimum playable flows. (We welcome further input to fine-tune characterization of features at various flows.)
Gauge (1732 sq.mi. drainage) is 10 miles upstream. Flow in course may be slightly regulated by stop blocks at head of course. New gauge to be installed at site
Range
Water Level
Difficulty
Comment
0 - 100
cfs
extremely Low-somewhat Low
I
Minimal (near record-low) flows. Not likely to provide much whitewater value. At this flow, it is really just a canoe-bypass for the dam.
100 - 250
cfs
somewhat Low-barely Low
I(II)
Marginal flows for whitewater features. (We welcome further input to fine-tune characterization of features at various flows.)
250 - 500
cfs
barely runnable-med runnable
I-II
Low-boatable. Features are playable. (We welcome further input to fine-tune characterization of features at various flows.)
500 -1500
cfs
med runnable-a bit pushy runnable
II
Perhaps optimum playable flows. (We welcome further input to fine-tune characterization of features at various flows.)
1500 -3200
cfs
a bit pushy runnable-high runnable
II
Playable, but generally higher than optimum. (We welcome further input to fine-tune characterization of features at various flows.)
3200 -5000
cfs
somewhat High-somewhat High
II+
Uncertain. Possibly too high for reasonable play in course. (We welcome further input to fine-tune characterization of features at various flows.)
5000 -20000
cfs
somewhat High-extremely High
II+(III)
Likely outrageously high and too pushy for reasonable play. (We need your comments or reports!)
Report - Reports of Fox (Illinois R. trib.) D) Yorkville: Marge Cline Whitewater Course at Bicentennial Riverfront Park (PnP) and related gauges
Reports give the public a chance to report on river conditions throughout the country as well as log the history of a river.
Perhaps optimum playable flows. (We welcome further input to fine-tune characterization of features at various flows.) Gauge (1732 sq.mi. drainage) is 10 miles upstream. Flow in course may be slightly regulated by stop blocks at head of course. New gauge to be installed at site 
No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. 
