City: South Elgin, IL
County: Kane County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 41.96980000, -88.30048100
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Runs on Fox River
9 runs (3 nearby)Difficulty Classes
I Easy
II Novice
III Intermediate
IV Advanced
V Expert/Extreme
VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site:
Put-in at this location
This location is on the run
Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
Downstream from here Upstream from here
I-II(IV)
Downstream from here (7.9 mi to put-in)
C) Batavia Dam (PnP)
0.2 mi
I-II
Downstream from here (24.6 mi to put-in)
D) Yorkville: Marge Cline Whitewater Course (PnP)
0.2 mi
10 ft/mi
II
Downstream from here (24.6 mi to put-in)
Jaycee Pond Park (PnP)
0.3 mi
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
I(II)
53 mi away
B) Waterford/Rochester/Burlington (PnP)
0.5 mi
I
72 mi away
A) Downtown Waukesha: Barstow St. to Wisconsin Ave. (0.5 mile)
0.4 mi
10 ft/mi
II
154 mi away
A) N Wave (Neenah)
0.1 mi
II-IV+
158 mi away
B) Appleton Dam (PnP) *Access Issues*
0.1 mi
II-III(IV)
159 mi away
C) Kaukauna/1000 Islands: Hwy.55/Main Ave. to CTH.ZZ (1.5 miles)
2.5 mi
27 ft/mi
II
172 mi away
D) De Pere Dam (PnP) *Access Issues*
0.7 mi
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
Jon. J. Duerr Forest Preserve in South Elgin offers a concrete boat ramp providing direct access to the Fox River. This well-maintained facility is ideal for launching kayaks, canoes, and motorboats, with ample shoreline and picnic areas nearby. The preserve also features wooded trails and is located at a scenic crook in the river, making it a convenient hub for both water activities and land-based recreation.
The Fox River at this location is a large, established waterway with an average flow of 2,347 cubic feet per second and moderate current (3.63 feet/second). With a gentle average gradient of 2.4 feet per mile, the river here is relatively stable and suitable for paddlers of various skill levels. Given the river's substantial size and drainage area of 2,500 square miles, expect broader channels and deeper water compared to smaller tributaries. The preserve's strategic location offers access to downstream paddling opportunities and connects to other launch points along this 202-mile river system.
The Fox River at this location is a large, established waterway with an average flow of 2,347 cubic feet per second and moderate current (3.63 feet/second). With a gentle average gradient of 2.4 feet per mile, the river here is relatively stable and suitable for paddlers of various skill levels. Given the river's substantial size and drainage area of 2,500 square miles, expect broader channels and deeper water compared to smaller tributaries. The preserve's strategic location offers access to downstream paddling opportunities and connects to other launch points along this 202-mile river system.