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Illinois whitewater, Des Plaines
Will
county,
Fishnet Rapids section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.
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CLASS I-II 4 miles
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To inspect for log jams beneath the gravel pit access bridge directly east of Romeoville High School, you are allowed to drive up to, but not ACROSS the bridge, according to a security gaurd at the gravel pit. To check for log jams, I'd park BEFORE the bridge, and get out and walk across the bridge, looking over the railing. Also, there's a spot where you can walk up to the river edge. Facing east, it will be on your right, before the bridge. |
I'm uploading a photo dated April 12, 2002. It's a view of that bridge, taken from the water, looking southwest. Says Brian (see picture)
About the gate at Isle a Cache in Romeoville: I can't verify what time it's
| locked, but I would not advise driving around the gate if it requires going through the grass. I used to leave my truck there and return for it later. One time the gate was locked when we got back, and I drove around the gate. A week or so later, the same thing happened. We got back and the gate was locked, but this time there was a note on the truck that said ''Your license number has been recorded. If this vehicle is not here when the | |
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gate is unlocked in the morning, you will be ticketed''. I had to leave the truck there until after work the following day. So now, if I'm planning on not returning for the truck until late, after unloading the gear, I park
the truck at the bar located about 1/4 mile west, and I walk back to Isle a Cache. Says Brian
Put-in is 135th street in Romeoville. Park and put in at the Isle de Cashe Museum parking lot. Great location and easy
put in. I think they lock the parking lot gate at 5:00pm so don't get trapped in. I think you can drive around the gate if necessary. Don't take-out at the 167th /Division Street as the directions here say. It's a difficult
take-out. Plus there is 2.0 miles of river left to enjoy. Keep going to Joliet and get out on the north side Ruby Street in Joliet. Ruby has small boat ramp and shade trees. Nice spot. You can also leave a shuttle vehicle
here. Wait for higher than normal water to make this run. Otherwise you will drag a lot of bottom especially at the Route 7 high bridge at Lockport. Soon after you put in be careful at the concrete low height gravel pit
bridge. Debris gets caught here and the passage is narrow or nonexistant. You don't want to get trapped. In 2007 there was just one opening to the left side. You can inspect this before going by taking the road that goes
east from Romeoville High School on route 53. It's a private gravel pit road but I doubt anyone will care. The biggest rapids are just before and at the old Division Street bridge. But they are just fun not dangerous. In
a couple of places the river forks. Its usually best to go right. At the fork below Division street...go left unless you have exta high water. This is really a fun little run. Lots of wild life....deer, ducks, geese, turtles,
and carpzilla. Also before you run it drive east on Division Street from Route 53 just so you can see the rapids before you run them. This also gives you an idea of where you are as you come downstream. Before you get out
at Ruby street go under the railroad bridge to the east and go up the historic old Lockport canal. You will be going back north. This is where the mules used to pull the barges. There is interesting stone work along the
way. You can easily make it up to the first lock about 1/2 a mile. Finally, this trip could be dangerous in very high run-off. There could be suck holes around bridge pillars. You could be caught by debris jams in forks
or at bridges. There could also be low clearance under that first bridge. So scout it before you run it. Be sure to have a good PFD and wear it. Remember this is Real America not Great America. You're on your own. I like the real high water the best. E-mail me if you have questions bbfalk@aol.com Says Bruce Falk
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Des Plaines, Fishnet Rapids road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.
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Pictures of Des Plaines
 Bigger Picture
Map
 Detailed Map
Stats
 Stats for this river stretch
Weather
 Local weather forecast
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These outdoors activities are available near Des Plaines. |
| Ski Areas Near Des Plaines:
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Four Lakes, Illinois
, 9 miles away, 100 foot drop, 7 lifts, 7 runs |
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Villa Olivia, Illinois
, 23 miles away, 180 foot drop, 6 lifts, 9 runs |
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Raging Buffalo Snowboard Park, Illinois
, 32 miles away, 180 foot drop, 3 lifts, 5 runs |
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Wilmot mountain, Wisconsin
, 47 miles away, 260 foot drop, 11 lifts, 25 runs |
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Grand Geneva, Wisconsin
, 56 miles away, 211 foot drop, 5 lifts, 16 runs |
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Alpine Valley, Wisconsin
, 63 miles away, 388 foot drop, 14 lifts, 20 runs |
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Highlands of Olympia, Wisconsin
, 81 miles away, 205 foot drop, 3 lifts, 5 runs |
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Little Switzerland, Wisconsin
, 90 miles away, 200 foot drop, 7 lifts, 15 runs |
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Sunburst, Wisconsin
, 98 miles away, 225 foot drop, 9 lifts, 10 runs |
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| Marinas Near Des Plaines:
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Big Basin Marina, Channahon
, 14 miles away |
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Old Plank Marina, Frankfort
, 16 miles away |
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Harborside Marina, Wilmington
, 18 miles away |
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| Hotels Near Des Plaines:
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Super 8 Romeoville Bolingbrook, Romeoville
, 3 miles away |
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Ramada Bolingbrook, Bolingbrook
, 4 miles away |
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Quality Inn Bolingbrook, Bolingbrook
, 4 miles away |
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Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites BOLINGBROOK, Bolingbrook
, 4 miles away |
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Hampton Inn - Suites Bolingbrook, Bolingbrook
, 4 miles away |
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| Public Lands Near Des Plaines:
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Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor, Lockport - IL
, 4 miles away |
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Kankakee River State Park, Illinois
, 20 miles away |
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Goose Lake Prairie State Park, Illinois
, 21 miles away |
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Mazonia-Braidwood Wildlife Area, Illinois
, 25 miles away |
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| Golf Courses Near Des Plaines:
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Prairie Bluff Public Golf Club, Joliet
, 2 miles away |
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Big Run Golf Club, Lockport
, 3 miles away |
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Broken Arrow Golf Club, Lockport
, 4 miles away |
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