Kayak Love

Illinois · river

Mackinaw River near Green Valley

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

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Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Wind

7 mph

gusting to 11 mph

Air temp

69°F

53% chance of rain

River flow

323 cfs

high for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Tuesday · 97

  • Today

    36

  • Sun

    65

  • Mon

    96

  • Tue

    97

    Best

  • Wed

    94

  • Thu

    87

  • Fri

    87

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)
11a68
12p37
1p610
2p1221
3p1526
4p1428
5p1630
6p1430
7p1432
8p1431
9p1431
10p1428

Is this flow normal for August 1?

Today's 323 cfs is 118% above the median for this date — which counts as high water here.

The median flow on this date is 148 cfs, across 104 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind7 mph — noticeable but manageable-1
  • Rain53% chance in the next 6 hours-9

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