Lower Dam Canoe Access
Lower Dam Canoe Access is a free public kayak and canoe launch on the Sangamon River near Decatur, Illinois.
- Free
- No horsepower limit
Status not reported No closure has been posted for this launch, but its agency does not publish open or closed status. Check with the managing agency before you tow.
At the launch
- Type
- Carry-in (canoe and kayak)
- Fee
- Free
- Motors
- No horsepower limit
- Ramp surface
- ground
- Coordinates
- 39.82911, -88.96109
Boating rules
- Horsepower limit: none · all of Sangamon River rule
From the boating rules map of Illinois Department of Natural Resources, read October 18, 2026. A map of rules is a guide: the regulation's text and the posted signs govern.
Conditions
- Weather forecast for this launch · National Weather Service
- Water level, flow at the SANGAMON RIVER AT ROUTE 48 AT DECATUR, IL gauge · USGS, 0.8 mi away on Sangamon River
Water level
Latest reading loads here; without it, see the USGS page below.
USGS gauge SANGAMON RIVER AT ROUTE 48 AT DECATUR, IL, 0.8 mi from this launch on Sangamon River: water level, flow, a reading every 15 minutes. Readings and history at USGS.
On Sangamon River
River in Illinois. All launches on Sangamon River.
Community
Where people who use Sangamon River talk about it.
Nearby launches
- Nelson Park Boat Ramps · 1.9 mi · Lake Decatur
- Wycles Road Canoe Access · 3.6 mi · Sangamon River
- Faries Park Boat Ramp · 5.2 mi · Lake Decatur
- Dunn Waterfowl Boat Ramp · 19.6 mi
- Bethany Boat Ramp · 19.7 mi · Lake Shelbyville
- West Okaw River Boat Launch · 19.8 mi · West Okaw River
Sources
- OpenStreetMap n6038272801 © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
Why it is listed as public: www.maconccd.org: The Decatur Park District manages a put-in site located just below the low-head dam on Lake Decatur.. Something wrong, or is this launch private? Send a correction; it goes to a person.