Kayak Love

Illinois · river

South Fork Saline River near Carrier Mills

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

100of 100

Send it

Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Photograph taken near South Fork Saline River near Carrier Mills
Nearby on Wikimedia Commons — Main Street, Carrier Mills, Illinois.jpg by Ruhe1986, Public domain. Taken within 10km of this location — it may not show the launch itself.

Wind

6 mph

gusting to 12 mph

Air temp

75°F

6% chance of rain

River flow

101 cfs

high for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Tuesday · 98

  • Today

    58

  • Sun

    73

  • Mon

    89

  • Tue

    98

    Best

  • Wed

    98

  • Thu

    52

  • Fri

    69

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)
12p612
1p1116
2p1017
3p920
4p1018
5p919
6p1119
7p817
8p718
9p618
10p516
11p316

Is this flow normal for August 1?

Today's 101 cfs is 818% above the median for this date — which counts as high water here.

The median flow on this date is 11 cfs, across 59 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind6 mph — calm, ideal for any boat±0

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