DuPage, Illinois, US |
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| Usual Difficulty | I(II) (for normal flows) |
|---|---|
| Length | 10.2 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 2 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 2 fpm |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DU PAGE RIVER AT SHOREWOOD, IL | ||||
| usgs-05540500 | 150 - 1000 cfs | I(II) | 00h36m | 333 cfs (rc= 0.2 ) |
Perhaps low-to-moderate (for whitewater). We welcome your input. Leave a comment or 'report'. Gauge (324 sq.mi. drainage) is on this reach, thus very accurately portrays flows. |
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A flatwater stretch is punctuated by a couple of dams which could
provide some play at certain levels, far more often may prove a serious
hazard to the unwary. Notably, at levels around 1000 cfs, the dam at Hammel Woods may
look rather easy to the inexperienced boater (it looks like only a couple inches to maybe a foot
of drop). What the novice boater may not notice is how far downstream the water 'boils back'
toward the face of the dam. Anyone out of their boat (or anyone in their boat who fails to stay
upright and paddle all the way through the boil) will be sucked back toward the dam and
will be recirculated with little likelihood of getting out. There is a 'chute'
tight to the left bank which could be the best runnable spot at a fair variety
of levels, but again, we do not recommend running any low-head dam without full
knowledge, awareness of the danger, and proper safety precautions (persons on shore
with throw-ropes).
Reportedly, the forest preserve police have ticketed folks
who paddle over the dam.
Other than this, we have very little detailed, first-hand information regarding the rest of
this reach. If you have run this reach, please help out your fellow boaters by going to the
"Comment" tab and using the "Add a Comment" button which appears there (for
all registered, logged-in users of this website).
No photos found. Best levels for runnability (and/or playability) are not currently known.
If you have information about best flows for features on this reach, please use the "Comment" tab, "Add a Comment" button.
Based upon the most recent ten years historical data:
the 10% flow is 820 cfs (10% of the time, flow is at or above this value)
the 90% flow is 147 cfs (90% of the time, flow is at or above this value)
This gives a 10/90 ratio of 5.58, which suggests only moderately flashy stream (I.E., flow is moderately stable).
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DU PAGE RIVER AT SHOREWOOD, IL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| usgs-05540500 | 150 - 1000 cfs | I(II) | 00h36m | 333 cfs (rc= 0.2 ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Perhaps low-to-moderate (for whitewater). We welcome your input. Leave a comment or 'report'. |
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Gauge (324 sq.mi. drainage) is on this reach, thus very accurately portrays flows. |
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No Comments
Users can submit comments.| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6 | Dam (portage) | N/A |   |
| 1.2 | apparent dam | II |  |
| 1.8 | Apparent shoals | I |  |
| 2.2 | Large Island | N/A | |
| 3.9 | I-80 | N/A | |
| 5.0 | Possible shoals start | N/A | |
| 5.3 | Railroad | N/A | |
| 5.6 | Possible shoals end | N/A | |
| 5.8 | Islands/constriction | N/A | |
| 10.2 | I&M Trail Dam (portage) | N/A | |
We highly recommend you do not run this dam. At many flows, the nasty reversal will not release a boat and boater. We have reports that if you are caught running this, you will be ticketed.
May offer some play? (We have no specific info about whether or what degree of play is available or what flows are best here. We welcome your input!)
It may be possible to 'park-and-play' this spot, or use this location as an alternate put-in, as there appears to be park land on one or both sides of the river.
There appears to be a small ledge or shoals (or old broken dam?) at this location. On river-left, there is "Shorewood Park", which could offer alternate put-in, or park-and-play if/when flows are correct to afford play opportunities here. (We have no specific info about whether or what degree of play is available or what flows are best here. We welcome your input!)
A large island splits the flow. There may be some interesting shoals, compression waves, or areas of interesting currents (particularly where the two channels rejoin). (Or not.)
(We have no specific info about whether or what degree of play is available or what flows are best here. We welcome your input!)
As the river makes a near approach to the railroad and takes a northward (NE) bend, it appears it may begin a sequence of shoals which could offer some nice 'splishy-splash' waves.
Be aware that bridge piers here may accumulate wood (large branches and whole trees).
Whatever shoals may exist appear to peter out as the river approaches W.Shepley Road.
At low water there is a small island here. It appears likely that it will be covered at higher flows. There may be a fine wave-train to the right.
For anyone extending their trip on this river, there is a large dam which must be portaged.
reach
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Shorewood: Hammel Woods to W.Story St. (up to 10.2 miles), DuPage Illinois, US (mobile)
