Kayak Love

Illinois · river

Middle Fork Vermilion River above Oakwood

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

92of 100

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Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Photograph taken near Middle Fork Vermilion River above Oakwood
Nearby on Wikimedia Commons — Ericymba buccata - Gojilynx - 606630924.jpeg by Gojilynx, CC BY 4.0. Taken within 10km of this location — it may not show the launch itself.

Wind

5 mph

gusting to 6 mph

Air temp

71°F

50% chance of rain

River flow

40.5 cfs

normal for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Wednesday · 100

  • Today

    54

  • Sun

    62

  • Mon

    87

  • Tue

    94

  • Wed

    100

    Best

  • Thu

    86

  • Fri

    84

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)
12p56
1p49
2p36
3p59
4p13
5p46
6p17
7p718
8p1227
9p1227
10p1129
11p1124

Is this flow normal for August 1?

Today's 40.5 cfs is 8% below the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.

The median flow on this date is 44 cfs, across 46 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind5 mph — calm, ideal for any boat±0
  • Rain50% 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