Directions: Put-in on the downstream side of the Skokie Lagoons Control Dam on the west side of Forest Preserve Drive, just north of Willow Road in Winnetka. Park on the west side of Forest Preserve Drive and follow the path to the dam.
Notes: Approximately half a mile downstream from the put-in is the Winnetka Road dam. Portage on the right using the wood planks strapped to the dam abutment. The river passes under the Edens Expressway and by the confluence of the Middle Fork of the North Branch before passing under E. Lake Street in Glenview. The take-out is on river left just past the bridge in Blue Star Memorial Woods.
This entire trip is through Cook County Forest Preserves and is paralleled by the North Shore Bike Path. The combination of the water trail and bike path makes this day trip an easy self-shuttle trip.
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The Winnetka Dam was removed in 2015, so there is clear paddling all the way from the Skokie Lagoons dam (except for any log jams). https://rusustain.wordpress.com/2015/12/18/removal-of-winnetka-road-dam-a-milestone-for-the-chicago-river/