High water levels pause floating services on Illinois River

Flood conditions on the Illinois River near Tahlequah have paused commercial floating operations, with high water levels creating safety concerns for the weekend.

Saturday, July 19th 2025, 8:46 am

By: Graham Dowers

TALEQUAH, Okla. -

High water levels on the Illinois River are putting a stop to most recreational floating this weekend as a flood warning remains in effect for areas near Tahlequah.

According to the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA), the river crested over 9 feet on Wednesday and is expected to rise further in the coming days. While the river remains open to the public, GRDA says safety is the top priority, which is why commercial float operators have paused services for now.

That includes outfitters like Arrowhead Resort, where co-owner Austin Spears says 2025 has already been a challenging season.

“It’s been a rough year… not just us here on the river, but also on the lake,” said co-owner Spears. “June has been, it was a struggle. We’re approximately down 6,000 to 7,000 people.”

With weather disruptions continuing into July, local businesses say the unpredictability of conditions has led to decreased tourism traffic, affecting both river and lake activity.

If you had a float trip planned this weekend, GRDA encourages you to contact your provider for the latest updates and guidance.