Location: Just east of Spring Valley, IL
Put-in: Just east of Ladd, IL on 1600 Ave. N. (41.37899 -89.18351)
Take-out Parking: Spring Valley Dog Park (41.31904 -89.20010)
Shuttle: 6.7 miles / 14 minutes
Click for shuttle map
Character: Mostly very rural float, interrupted briefly by a freeway overpass, golf course, and railroad frontage
River banks: Generally reasonable egress, with mostly grassy banks.
Typical width: 20 - 35 ft.
Put-in elevation is approximately 602'
Take-out elevation is approximately 449'
Total drop is approximately 153'
Average Gradient: 24 FPM
Drainage area at put-in: 32.6 square miles
Drainage area at take-out: 47.277 square miles
Drainage increase: 45%
Spring Creek lies just west and parallel to the popular Little Vermilion. With a smaller watershed, it will not as often contain enough water to boat.
You will almost assuredly encounter deadfalls and snags, perhaps fences or other items crossing low over the water, and one possibly low bridge in the golf course. At higher flows, each of these obstacles may prove challenging to navigate or portage.