Category: Work Day

Join us on Saturday mornings this summer to help make the Kishwaukee easier to paddle in McHenry County. Bring yourself or your small group to any of several spots on the Kish with chainsaws, loppers, maybe even a boat to clear treefall.

Please contact Pat at 815.715.0592 or patlawlor117@gmail.com to learn where we’ll be working. Workdays are usually Saturday mornings, but let Pat know which days of the week you’re available and she will attempt to organize a group to join you. Covid safe is always good. Some locations need a boat to float up or down river to get to the treefall, other locations are walkable. THANK YOU in advance for your time and expertise!

Chainsaw volunteers needed! At this point our main focus is helping the Kish to be more friendly to paddle. That means removing the downed trees all along our river. Form groups of 2-4 with at least 1 chainsaw, choose a spot, and work for a few hours. You can contact Pat Lawlor 815-715-0592 to discuss a good working location or to report work you completed. Some suggestions:

• Downstream of the 176 bridge west
• Millstream in both directions
• Deerpass in both directions
• Hwy 23 in both directions
• Thorne in both directions
• County Line Rd upstream

We have 3 months to get this done so that everyone can enjoy a safe and happy paddle without having to get out of their boat to portage.
Gather up your friends or family and head out to the Kish!

The goal is to make a 15 foot wide safe passage down the Kish. Saw the downed trees into 15-20 inch sections, and just let them float down the river. If we throw them on the shore, they will float down during the next flood anyway. If they get caught on other trees, it is easy to untangle the short sections for more floating.

Thank you in advance for your time and expertise, because we certainly only are addressing experienced chainsaw gurus to do this. I am sure you understand.

BE SAFE. BE CAREFUL. QUIT WHEN YOU GET TIRED.

THANKS SO MUCH!!!