Glen D. Palmer Dam

Glen D. Palmer Dam is a gravity structure spanning roughly 530 feet (160 meters) across the Fox River, located upstream from the Route-47 bridge. The dam includes a Denil fish ladder and a bypass channel to allow passage for aquatic life and recreational boats.

The current structure was completed in 1962, replacing earlier dams that stretched back to the 1830s, including a wooden crib dam that collapsed during spring floods. This reconstruction was built to improve water control and prevent the flooding problems the area had faced before.

The structure is named after Glen D. Palmer, the first manager of the State Game Farm in Illinois. You can observe how this infrastructure fits into the river landscape and serves the water management needs of the region.

The site is easily reached from Route-47 bridge with good viewing points of the structure. You should watch for uneven terrain along the riverbank and expect higher water levels during spring snowmelt or after heavy rains.

A 2010 renovation transformed the dam into a stepped design and added the Marge Cline Whitewater Course. This area provides whitewater sections of varying difficulty levels for both athletes and casual visitors, making it a hub for different water sports activities.