Chain O' Lakes, Des Plaines River nearing normal levels
Water levels continue to drop on the Des Plaines River and Chain O' Lakes.
The Des Plaines River was at 7.9 feet late Thursday, still above the 7-foot flood stage. The National Weather Service forecasts the river should fall below flood stage Saturday, barring additional rain.
On the Chain O' Lakes and Fox River, water levels continue to drop by two to four inches per day throughout the system.
Gauges in New Munster, Wis., show the level fell about six inches overnight and Thursday, but remain 2½ feet over flood stage. The Chain dropped about six inches in the same period but still is about 18 inches over flood stage.
The Fox River in Johnsburg and McHenry also dropped about three inches Thursday, but both locations remain about a foot over flood stage.
Rescue officials said residents and business owners should keep sandbags in place through the weekend in case a rainstorm springs up.