Kayak Love

Illinois · river

Kankakee River at Momence

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

82of 100

Good

Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Photograph taken near Kankakee River at Momence
Nearby on Wikimedia Commons — Bridge to Island Park (4236205758).jpg by BriYYZ from Toronto, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0. Taken within 10km of this location — it may not show the launch itself.

Wind

12 mph

gusting to 21 mph

Air temp

68°F

40% chance of rain

River flow

1,780 cfs

high for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Wednesday · 100

  • Today

    18

  • Sun

    62

  • Mon

    97

  • Tue

    97

  • Wed

    100

    Best

  • Thu

    91

  • Fri

    91

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)
12p1221
1p1321
2p1225
3p1225
4p1428
5p1529
6p1432
7p1533
8p1635
9p1325
10p1831
11p1328

Is this flow normal for August 1?

Today's 1,780 cfs is 73% above the median for this date — which counts as high water here.

The median flow on this date is 1,030 cfs, across 120 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind12 mph — noticeable but manageable-14
  • Rain40% chance in the next 6 hours-4

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