This summer had been particularly rainy and I planned a visit to Starved Rock State Park to explore and photograph some of the waterfalls at the different canyons.  Due to extensive flooding along the Illinois River, I had heard that the Visitor Centre, main parking lot, picnic areas and other low lying areas were closed.  At its height, the water level reached about five meters above baseflow, leaving the main parking lot and picnic area about two meters underwater.

I arrived at the state park about two hours after sunrise, around 07:30 and found parking near the park lodge, high above the river and lower lying areas of the park.  After first visiting French Canyon, I made my way to the main parking lot area to view the riverfront for myself.  While the flood waters had somewhat receded, there was still considerable flooding.  The main parking lot and picnic area where unrecognisable from the remaining flood water and all the leftover silt & mud.  Mosquitoes were abundant and annoying, and I found one gorging itself on my arm.  Mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus had been in the news lately, so that was a concern in my mind.  The Visitor Centre was open, and I was informed that access along the Riverwalk Trails was limited.

Hiking along the Riverwalk Trail, I found it to be quite muddy, but cautiously passable.  I went to LaSalle Canyon and then Tonty Canyon where there were moderate size waterfalls at each.  My plan was to then visit an area of the park which I had not been to in many years.  Rather than hiking the distance, I opted to find parking closer to the southern area of the park and then I hiked over to Council Overhang and Ottawa Canyon.  Although these areas were not flooded, the trails were considerably muddy.

About This Photograph

The above photograph was taken from near a path outside the park Visitor Centre and shows a view of a flooded picnic area & picnic hut which are normally situated well above the Illinois River.  On the left side of this image, handicap parking signs are clearly visible and on the right side of this image, a portion of the river barrier can be seen partially submerged.  I took this photograph, moreover, to document the floodwater while showing something familiar which could help illustrate the flood conditions.