City: Lake Barrington, IL
County: Lake County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 42.20765400, -88.19358200
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Runs on Fox River
9 runs (4 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 (25.5 mi to put-in)
C) Batavia Dam (PnP)
0.2 mi
I-II
Downstream from here (42.6 mi to put-in)
D) Yorkville: Marge Cline Whitewater Course (PnP)
0.2 mi
10 ft/mi
II
Downstream from here (42.6 mi to put-in)
Jaycee Pond Park (PnP)
0.3 mi
I(II)
Upstream from here (36.5 mi from take-out)
B) Waterford/Rochester/Burlington (PnP)
0.5 mi
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
I
55 mi away
A) Downtown Waukesha: Barstow St. to Wisconsin Ave. (0.5 mile)
0.4 mi
10 ft/mi
II
138 mi away
A) N Wave (Neenah)
0.1 mi
II-IV+
142 mi away
B) Appleton Dam (PnP) *Access Issues*
0.1 mi
II-III(IV)
143 mi away
C) Kaukauna/1000 Islands: Hwy.55/Main Ave. to CTH.ZZ (1.5 miles)
2.5 mi
27 ft/mi
II
155 mi away
D) De Pere Dam (PnP) *Access Issues*
0.7 mi
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
Welch Circle provides boat ramp access to the Fox River in Lake Barrington, offering a convenient put-in for kayakers, canoeists, and motorized boaters on this major waterway. The Fox River at this location is a large, well-established stream (7th order) with moderate current—expect average flows around 2,350 cubic feet per second and water velocities near 3.6 feet per second, though actual conditions vary seasonally and by dam location. The river's gentle gradient of approximately 2.4 feet per mile makes it generally manageable for paddlers of varying skill levels.
Before launching, note that trips of any length between the Illinois State line and the Algonquin Dam require a Fox Waterway Agency sticker. The Fox River system offers extensive access points and take-outs throughout the area, making it ideal for planning multi-day trips or shorter paddles. Water conditions can range from 2 to 6 miles per hour depending on location and season, with flows typically slower in the northern dam pools and faster south of Aurora. Check current conditions and water levels before your trip, as seasonal variations significantly affect paddling difficulty and safety.
Before launching, note that trips of any length between the Illinois State line and the Algonquin Dam require a Fox Waterway Agency sticker. The Fox River system offers extensive access points and take-outs throughout the area, making it ideal for planning multi-day trips or shorter paddles. Water conditions can range from 2 to 6 miles per hour depending on location and season, with flows typically slower in the northern dam pools and faster south of Aurora. Check current conditions and water levels before your trip, as seasonal variations significantly affect paddling difficulty and safety.