Vermillion (Hastings), Minnesota, US

Falls to Old Mill in Hastings (0.5 mile)

Photo#876090

Photo taken 06/07/10 @ low runnable level

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
VERMILLION RIVER NEAR EMPIRE, MN
usgs-05345000	100 - 450 cfs	I	63d11h24m	21 cfs (rc= -0.7 )
	Generally too low for whitewater. USGS gauge (129 sq.mi. drainage) is 17.3 river miles upstream . Actual flow in this reach will vary, and might average 1.5 times what the gauge reads.

River Description

There are several nice holes for surfing and blasting at 100 cfs and higher. The holes are shallow, and the rocks are sharp, so be very careful about flips and upstream braces. At higher flows (over 500cfs), the holes become very sticky and the reach (overall) will merit a class IV rating, due to being relatively narrow, constricted, twisty, and relatively continuous. It's a real short run with a trail along side (in a park), so you can carry up to do it again and again and again. 

Boaters are also encouraged to support the "Friends of the Vermillion River Water Trail" (FVRWT, 'favorite'), which has a brochure available online here.

Note that water quality is generally quite poor, so nose plugs are a good idea. The stream is on the list of 'impaired waters' due to fecal coliform bacteria levels, which exceed recommended levels for any contact with the water, especially after a "rain event". For more info see Minnesota Polution Control Agency.

The following video (courtesy 'FacePlant' and YouTube) is helmet-cam footage for a boater's-eye view of the run.