Fox Lake not ready to remove sandbags

Although flood water is receding, no one is ready to start removing sandbags protecting homes and businesses in Fox Lake.

Fox Lake Emergency Services Disaster Agency Director Ed Lescher said today it's too soon to speculate when the sandbag removal should begin.

"We don't want anybody to remove sandbags yet," Lescher said. "We want the water to fully recede."

Problems in the Chain O' Lakes region have been caused by the Fox River as it flows south from New Munster, Wis.

At 8:15 a.m. today, the Fox River measured at 12.26 feet, above the 10-foot flood stage in New Munster, according to the National Weather Service. Fox Lake has been coming down from a recorded 6.75 feet toward a flood stage of about 5 feet.

Officials said the Fox River from Pistakee Lake south to the Algonquin spillway remained closed to all boaters today. A no-wake restriction remained on the Chain, according to the Fox Waterway Agency, meaning boats can't travel faster than 5 mph.

Meanwhile, the Des Plaines River was receding today at its measuring point in Gurnee. The river was at 7.46 feet, above its 7-foot flood stage, according to the National Weather Service.

Gurnee officials say they don't want business owners or residents to remove sandbags in the flood zone near Route 132 and Old Grand Avenue.