West Fork Illinois River river run
West Fork Illinois River
The total segment mileage of the West Fork Illinois River run is approximately 9 miles, which can typically be completed in about 4-5 hours. Specific rapids and obstacles on this river include the Wildcat Rapid, Boulder Alley, and the infamous Green Wall. The Green Wall is a Class IV rapid that offers a steep and technical drop, and is considered the most challenging part of the run.
There are specific regulations in place for the West Fork Illinois River, including a mandatory shuttle service for all rafters and kayakers. Additionally, all boaters must obtain a permit from the Bureau of Land Management and follow Leave No Trace principles to help preserve the natural beauty of the area. It is also recommended that all boaters wear proper safety gear, such as a helmet and life jacket, and have experience with Class III-IV rapids.
Overall, the West Fork Illinois River is a thrilling whitewater river run for experienced rafters and kayakers seeking a challenging adventure in a beautiful natural setting. It is important to follow regulations and safety guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience on the river.
Plan your run down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.
Regional streamflow levels
USGS streamgauges around West Fork Illinois River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois River Near Kerby | 155 cfs | → |
| Sucker Cr Bl Lt Grayback Cr Nr Holland | 53 cfs | → |
| Smith R Nr Crescent City Ca | 675 cfs | → |
| Chetco River Near Brookings | 327 cfs | → |
| Indian C Nr Happy Camp Ca | 114 cfs | → |
| Klamath R Nr Seiad Valley Ca | 1,770 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest boat launches, other paddle runs, and campgrounds so a day on the water can grow into a full weekend.
Other river runs
- Headwaters Including Both Unnamed Forks And Rr Lakes To Confluence With Rough And Ready Creek
- Confluence Of North And South Forks Rough And Ready To Middle Of Sec 15, T40s, R9w
- Middle Of Sec 15, T40s, R4e To Siskyou Nf Boundary (East Section Line Of Sec 13, T40s, R4e)
- West Section Line Of Sec 31, T40s, R10w To Confluence With North Fork Smith River
- Headwaters And Perennial Tributaries To West Section Line Of Sec 31, T40s, R10w
Campgrounds
- Patrick Creek Campground
- Patrick Creek
- Grassy Flat
- Grassy Flat Campground
- Shady Acres
- Bear Basin Butte Lookout / Pierson Cabin
Whitewater safety
- Check the flow before you run
- Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
- Know your skill ceiling
- Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
- Wear the right gear
- Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
- Scout, set safety, and run with a team
- Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
- Respect the river
- Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save West Fork Illinois River as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.
About West Fork Illinois River
What's the optimal flow for West Fork Illinois River?
The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.
How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?
The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.
What's the whitewater class?
See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.
Where do I put in / take out?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.
Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of West Fork Illinois River.