Kayak Love

Illinois · river

Kankakee River near Wilmington

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

78of 100

Good

Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Wind

13 mph

gusting to 20 mph

Air temp

71°F

40% chance of rain

River flow

2,310 cfs

normal for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Tuesday · 100

  • Today

    14

  • Sun

    73

  • Mon

    97

  • Tue

    100

    Best

  • Wed

    100

  • Thu

    96

  • 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)
12p1320
1p1222
2p1127
3p1531
4p1431
5p1126
6p1633
7p1230
8p1230
9p1126
10p1020
11p1022

Is this flow normal for August 1?

Today's 2,310 cfs is 27% above the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.

The median flow on this date is 1,820 cfs, across 90 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind13 mph — hard work, whitecaps likely-18
  • 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