Paddling near Rockford, IL

Four paddleable rivers — the Rock, Kishwaukee, Sugar, and Pecatonica — converge around Rockford, the seat of Winnebago County in northwestern Illinois. The Rock River carries the city's water past Oregon, Dixon, and Rock Island, drifting a slow ~1 MPH over a 1 ft/mile gradient and reportedly holding Illinois' largest northern pike population. The county's forest preserves protect over 10,000 acres and supply most public launches.