Lower Fox River closed

FOX LAKE – Effective 1 p.m., the Fox Waterway Agency closed the lower Fox River because of heavy rains causing high water levels.

The Chain O' Lakes and upper Fox River remain no wake.

The Fox River at Algonquin is under a flood warning with minor flooding forecast, according to the National Weather Service.

At 7:45 a.m. the water level was at 2.9 feet, but being affected by gate operations at the dam. Flood stage is at 3 feet, when flooding will begin along River Road in Fox River Grove as well as Holiday Hills.

The forecast is for the river to rise above flood stage by Thursday morning and continue to rise to 3.1 feet by Friday morning.

The water level of the river in New Munster, Wis., which flows south through McHenry County, is almost a foot above flood stage, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Fox Lake is about a half a foot above the 5-foot flood stage, while measurements at Nippersink Creek put it more than a foot above. The river south of the dam in McHenry is also more than six inches above flood stage.

Violations of no wake or other boating restrictions during a flood or overflow event are subject to a fine between $300 and $500, as well as recovery of all damages caused.

– Northwest Herald