What do you guys do to get good water?

Just out of curiosity, what do you all do to get butter? Do you go to hidden locations? Do you go at different times? I just find it hard to get good water. With work, I have a hard time to get any riding time on anything except the weekend.

There is a river right by my house that we used to ride on and it was great, but the water levels are so shallow in spots (2-4 feet) and we've messed up our boat, so we don't do that any more. Is it possible to get good water on the weekends? I have no problem getting up early and riding then, but there is not a ton of options near me (Chicago suburbs).

I guess my question is, I see all these videos of people riding on literal glass. Are you in the middle of nowhere? Are you going at times where no one is out (super early, super late, etc.)?