Watching the water levels rise in Fox Lake

Fox Lake resident Al Knasel purchased his waterfront home as a fixer-upper two years ago. He figured he'd retire there when the time came.

Now, he just hopes his Atwater Park home won't float away.

Knasel is one of about 80 residents in Fox Lake who stacked sandbags around their homes Tuesday, in anticipation of floodwaters expected to reach Lake County from Wisconsin.

Officials say Fox Lake seems to be in the worst danger, as flood levels in New Munster, Wis., topped out at almost 5 feet above flood levels Tuesday. That water will travel south, down the Fox River and into the Chain O' Lakes, over the next 36 to 48 hours, reaching the Algonquin Dam in about 48 hours, if no additional rain falls.

In Gurnee, officials are continuing to keep a close eye on the Des Plaines River, which also is rising.

A giant puddle of lake water on his front yard greeted Knasel when he arrived at his summer home Tuesday. That puddle grew throughout the day, eventually creeping over his half-acre lawn and into his garage about 5 p.m.

"There's nothing you can do about it," he said with a smile. "We'll do what we can and hope it doesn't get high enough to leak in the house."

Ed Lescher, director of Fox Lake's Emergency Services Disaster Agency, said the Chain O' Lakes was expected to rise another foot between Tuesday and this morning.

He said low-lying areas of Fox Lake -- specifically Kings Island off Route 12, the Knollwood Park subdivision off Route 59 and Atwater Park -- started to flood throughout the day Tuesday. He said most of those areas will be under about 6 to 12 inches of water by this morning -- if no additional rain falls.

The National Weather Service is predicting a 40 percent chance of rain today and a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms Thursday.

National Weather Service meteorologist Mark Ratzer said about a quarter-inch of rain was predicted over southeastern Wisconsin and Lake County early today.

"Not all areas may see that," Ratzer added.

If that rainfall is recorded, the Chain, the Fox River and the Des Plaines River could rise even higher, Lescher said.

In Fox Lake, volunteers came out in force to fill about 3,000 sandbags Monday evening. Those sandbags are available for pickup at the Fox Lake Street Department garage on Washington Street.

Lescher added that residents living on the water should make sure sump pumps are working properly and their boats and piers are secure.

"Right now, we are asking all residents living on the water to tie off their boats to the shore, and to make sure their piers will not float away," he said.

He added people also are being asked to obey all street signs regarding water on pavement. People should not drive through high water because the wake could cause damage to homes.

Gurnee Fire Chief Fred Friedl said village officials met periodically Tuesday to establish a game plan in the event significant flooding occurs. He said village employees performed an inventory of sandbags and other necessities.

Residents along Kilbourne Road and other streets east of Milwaukee Avenue and Route 132 -- the typical flood zone -- have received visits from firefighters with updated river water levels.

Friedl said one of his concerns is that someone will be tempted to drop a raft or canoe in the Des Plaines River in an effort to ride the strong currents.

"No. 1, we don't want to see anybody injured or their life endangered," Friedl said. "That's huge."

Gurnee Elementary District 56 Superintendent John Hutton has a keen interest in the river's water level. The district's headquarters and 410-student Gurnee Grade School are in the same Kilbourne Road building in the river's shadows.

Hutton said the district is prepared to sandbag the building. He said he began meeting with Mike Nichols, the district's buildings and grounds boss, on Sunday.

"We're watching it closely," Hutton said. "As of now, we believe we'll be OK."

Bicyclists and others have been unable the use the Des Plaines River Trail's Route 132 underpass. A sign on the trail notes the closure due to high water.

Officials at the Fox Waterway Agency said the Fox River remains closed from the mouth of the Chain O' Lakes to the Algonquin Dam because of swift currents and debris that creates a hazardous boating conditions.

The Chain O' Lakes has been designated a no-wake zone. Boats are allowed to travel on the Chain, but not faster than 5 m.p.h.

People looking for more information on the floods should check out the Fox Waterway Internet Web site at www.foxwaterway.org or call the Fox Lake Fire Department at (847) 587-3312.