Kayak Love

Illinois · river

Rock River near Joslin

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

47of 100

Caution

Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Wind

17 mph

gusting to 30 mph

Air temp

70°F

49% chance of rain

River flow

4,270 cfs

normal for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Tuesday · 99

  • Today

    24

  • Sun

    85

  • Mon

    98

  • Tue

    99

    Best

  • Wed

    92

  • Thu

    96

  • Fri

    95

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)
12p1730
1p1630
2p1731
3p1632
4p1631
5p1430
6p1226
7p1324
8p917
9p714
10p714
11p816

Is this flow normal for August 1?

Today's 4,270 cfs is Right about the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.

The median flow on this date is 4,320 cfs, across 85 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind17 mph — hard work, whitecaps likely-39
  • GustsGusting to 30 mph — 13 mph over sustained-6
  • 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