Kayak Love

Illinois · river

Fox River at Montgomery

Live conditions for this USGS-monitored stretch of water, updated every 15 minutes.

90of 100

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Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Photograph taken near Fox River at Montgomery
Nearby on Wikimedia Commons — View of Fox River from Montgomery IL.JPG by Mythicmeadows, CC BY 3.0. Taken within 10km of this location — it may not show the launch itself.

Wind

8 mph

gusting to 17 mph

Air temp

68°F

49% chance of rain

River flow

2,330 cfs

high for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Tuesday · 100

  • Today

    31

  • Sun

    82

  • Mon

    93

  • Tue

    100

    Best

  • Wed

    97

  • Thu

    90

  • Fri

    90

Scored from each day's peak forecast wind, heat, and rain chance — river flow isn't forecastable, so check back before you load the boat.

Wind, next 12 hours

mph
Hourly wind forecast
HourWind (mph)Gusts (mph)
11a920
12p919
1p917
2p1124
3p925
4p1018
5p1228
6p1127
7p1231
8p1228
9p1228
10p1128

Is this flow normal for August 1?

Today's 2,330 cfs is 190% above the median for this date — which counts as high water here.

The median flow on this date is 804 cfs, across 22 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind8 mph — noticeable but manageable-2
  • Rain49% chance in the next 6 hours-8

We don't have launch notes for this one

This page is built from the USGS gauge at this location, so the flow and weather are real — but we haven't verified where to put in, what the hazards are, or whether this stretch is legal or sensible to paddle. We'd rather say that than invent it. The links below are where to find out.

We also don't have a verified safe-flow range here, so the Paddle Score reflects weather only. Judge the flow number against local knowledge, not against our score.

Do your own homework

We show you live conditions. For local knowledge — where to put in, what the hazards are, whether it's worth the drive — here's where paddlers actually talk about this water. We don't vet these sources; check the dates and judge for yourself.

Nearby water

All paddling spots in Illinois