Upper Sangamon River Conservancy

River Runners Paddle
2024-08-04 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Hazen Bridge, 405-449 County Rd 2600 N, Mahomet, IL, 61853, United States
The next Sangamon paddle excursion, departs from the Hazen Bridge at 9:30am. We’ll take out at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve. The trip is limited to 14 participants.

REQUIRED FREE registration opens noon July 26 until filled. Please read our Liability Waiver before filling out the RSVP. You must acknowledge having read and accept to complete registration.

The USRC provides up to 3 canoes and 8 kayaks, with paddles and floatation, and will transport them. We welcome paddlers who bring their own kayak or canoe, but they should plan to transport their watercraft.

There is no parking at Hazen Bridge, so everyone will need to park at the LOW kayak launch by 9:00 am. BYO’s will need to allow time to drop their watercraft at the starting point, and drive to and park at the take-out. We will provide transport to Hazen Bridge.

All paddlers must be adults or accompanied by an adult, and be experienced and able to properly handle their watercraft on moving water. Personal floatation devices are required while on the water. The Sangamon may seem like a lazy river, but like all rivers, she can surprise you very quickly. We encourage you to review the Water Safety Resources on our Paddler’s Information page.

USRC does not charge for these events, but encourages everyone to make a voluntary donation by clicking the “Donate” button on this page. Thanks!

Summer Splash
2024-07-27 09:00 - 15:00 | Lake of the Woods Peninsula, 101 N. Lake of the Woods Rd., Mahomet, IL, 61853
The Upper Sangamon River Conservancy is partnering with the Champaign County Forest Preserves for an exciting and new family-friendly event at Lake of the Woods! The day will begin with the “Take Me Fishing” event at the peninsula starting at 9 am. Activities throughout the day include fishing, canoeing, kayaking, educational exhibits, and more! Stop by for these fun activities and pick up lunch or a treat from a food truck while you’re there!

RiverWatch Open Lab
2024-07-24 16:00 - 19:00 | Izaak Walton Cabin, 679 Senna Drive, Mahomet, IL, 61853
The RiverWatch Open Lab is an opportunity for those who have participated in RiverWatch invertebrate monitoring to help with sorting, identifying and counting the invertebrate samples that were collected this monitoring season. Microscopes and a RiverWatch associate will be on hand to assist at the open lab. If have participated in any of the invertebrate monitoring events, then you are eligible to take part in the open lab. No identification experience is needed, but you do need to register by emailing Bruce Colravy at bmcolravy@msn.com. We hope you can join us!

Monthly Meeting
2024-07-15 18:30 - 20:00, 2024-06-17 18:30 - 20:00, 2024-05-20 18:30 - 20:00, 2024-04-15 18:30 - 20:00, 2024-02-19 19:00 - 20:30 | Mahomet Public Library, 1702 E Oak St, Mahomet, IL, 61853, United States
Monthly Board meeting in the Edgar Room.

River Runners Paddle
2024-07-06 09:00 - 13:00 | Mahomet Greenway, 1440 S. Division, Mahomet, IL, 61853
The next Sangamon River Kayak and Canoe excursion, Saturday July 6, departing from the Sangamon Greenway at 9:00am. We’ll take out at River Bend Forest Preserve.
All paddlers must be adults or accompanied by an adult, and be experienced and able to properly handle their watercraft on moving water. The Sangamon may seem like a lazy river, but like all rivers, she can surprise you very quickly. We encourage you to review the Water Safety Resources on our Paddler’s Information page.
The USRC provides canoes or kayaks, paddles and floatation free of charge, or you are free to bring your own. We will arrange all transportation including watercraft.
We’ll shuttle drivers back to the Greenway at the end of the trip, or you can park your car at the first parking lot after entering River Bend by 8:30am and we’ll shuttle you (and your watercraft) back to the Greenway for the start.
We do REQUIRE FREE registration for paddling events (opens 5 days before trip). Please read our Liability Waiver before filling out the RSVP. You must acknowledge having read and accept to complete registration.
This should be about a 3 hour tour, but remember that’s what they said about the SS Minnow at the beginning of Gilligan’s Island, so…

Invertebrate Monitoring - Sangamon River
2024-06-29 13:00 - 16:00 | River Bend Forest Preserve, 1602 MidAmerica Road, Mahomet, IL, 61853, United States
Invertebrate monitoring involves both a habitat survey and a biological survey of the site. It also involves entering the stream to stakeout the site, measure stream discharge, and collect the invertebrate samples. Clothes should be suitable for getting muddy. Old shoes or waders are recommended as well. Recommended personal items include a water bottle, bug repellent, sunscreen, and a hat.
No experience is necessary. The event is free, but registration is needed. To register for this event, email Bruce Colravy at bmcolravy@msn.com.

Invertebrate Monitoring - Wildcat Slough
2024-06-29 09:00 - 12:00 | Sangamon River Forest Preserve, 2797 County Rd 600E, Fisher, IL, 61843
Invertebrate monitoring involves both a habitat survey and a biological survey of the site. It also involves entering the stream to stakeout the site, measure stream discharge, and collect the invertebrate samples. Clothes should be suitable for getting muddy. Old shoes or waders are recommended as well. Recommended personal items include a water bottle, bug repellent, sunscreen, and a hat.
This is a free Illinois RiverWatch mentoring event – great for new volunteers who have not attended a workshop and current volunteers who want more practice with monitoring.
To participate, please register using this link.

Invertebrate Monitoring - Sangamon River
2024-06-22 13:00 - 16:00 | Hazen Bridge, 405-449 County Rd 2600 N, Mahomet, IL, 61853, United States
Invertebrate monitoring involves both a habitat survey and a biological survey of the site. It also involves entering the stream to stakeout the site, measure stream discharge, and collect the invertebrate samples. Clothes should be suitable for getting muddy. Old shoes or waders are recommended as well. Recommended personal items include a water bottle, bug repellent, sunscreen, and a hat.
No experience is necessary. To register for this event, email Bruce Colravy at bmcolravy@msn.com.

Invertebrate Monitoring - Sangamon River
2024-06-22 09:00 - 12:00 | Sangamon River Forest Preserve, 2797 County Rd 600E, Fisher, IL, 61843

River Runners Paddle
2024-06-01 09:00 - 13:00 | Mahomet Greenway, 1440 S. Division, Mahomet, IL, 61853
The next Sangamon River Kayak and Canoe excursion, Saturday June 1, departing from the Sangamon Greenway at 9:00am. We’ll take out at River Bend Forest Preserve.
All paddlers must be adults or accompanied by an adult, and be experienced and able to properly handle their watercraft on moving water. The Sangamon may seem like a lazy river, but like all rivers, she can surprise you very quickly. We encourage you to review the Water Safety Resources on our Paddler’s Information page.
The USRC provides canoes or kayaks, paddles and floatation free of charge, or you are free to bring your own. We will arrange all transportation including watercraft.
We’ll shuttle drivers back to the Greenway at the end of the trip, or you can park your car at the first parking lot after entering River Bend by 8:30am and we’ll shuttle you (and your watercraft) back to the Greenway for the start.
We do REQUIRE FREE registration for paddling events. Please read our Liability Waiver before filling out the RSVP. You must acknowledge having read and accept to complete registration.
This should be about a 3 hour tour, but remember that’s what they said about the SS Minnow at the beginning of Gilligan’s Island, so…

Sangamon River Showcase
2024-05-11 12:00 - 17:00 | Izaak Walton Cabin, 679 Senna Drive, Mahomet, IL, 61853
The Sangamon River Showcase highlights the activities of the USRC, educates the public about the watershed with a rain simulator, floodplain table, erosion table, freshwater mussel shell display, preserved aquatic invertebrates, live fish, and more. Additionally, visitors will have the opportunity to try-out a canoe or kayak on the Sangamon River. The event is open to all. Stop-in anytime during the event and check it out.

Monthly Meeting
2024-03-18 19:30 - 21:00 | Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green St., Champaign, IL, 61820
Monthly Board meeting in the Champaign Library Friends Room.

Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup
2024-03-16 09:00 - 12:00 | Museum of the Grand Prairie, 950 N Lombard, Mahomet, IL, 61853
Please join Upper Sangamon River Conservancy volunteers for our next Adopt-a-Highway cleanup on Saturday, March 16. Our target area is Highway 47 north of Mahomet and the north ramps of the I-74 interchange, all of which drains into the Sangamon River. Meet at the Museum of the Grand Prairie parking lot at 9:00 a.m. USRC will provide safety vests, trash bags, and hand grabbers. Wear appropriate clothing—shoes that may get wet, gloves, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen if needed.
Contact Joe at joeniernberger@outlook.com if you have any questions.

Duck Race 2023
2023-08-26 18:00 - 19:00 | East Street Bridge, 106 S East Street, Mahomet, IL, 61853, United States
The Great Duck Race 2023!
Buy Ducks, Win Prizes, and Support USRC!

750 numbered Ducks will enter the Sangamon River. The first four to reach the funnel are the winners.
Ticket holders do not need to be present to win.
By paying with your card, you acknowledge that your data will be processed by PayPal subject to the PayPal Privacy Statement available at PayPal.com .

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Mussel Survey
2023-08-12 09:00 - 14:00 | Allerton Park, 515 Old Timber Road, Monticello, IL, 61856, United States
Mussel Survey involves collecting mussels from the river bottom, tagging, weighing, measuring, and photographing them before returning them to the transect in which they were found.
See more details about participating on our Citizen Science Page.
If you are interested in this event or if you have additional questions, please contact Bruce Colravy at citizenscience@sangamonriver.org.

Mussel Survey
2023-08-05 09:00 - 14:00 | River Bend Forest Preserve, 1602 MidAmerica Road, Mahomet, IL, 61853, United States
