Parts of Fox, Chain open to boaters
As flood waters in western Lake County continue to recede, state officials have reopened portions of the Fox River and Chain O' Lakes.
No-wake restriction for boating on the Chain has been lifted. The upper Fox River, which had been closed from the mouth of the Chain in Johnsburg to the Stratton Lock and Dam in McHenry, is partially open with a no-wake restriction. Fox Waterway Agency officials said the area has potentially dangerous conditions and high water.
No-wake means boats are not allowed to travel fast enough to create a wake behind the boat, which is about 5 mph.
The lower Fox River between the dams in McHenry and Algonquin remains closed to boating.
Ingrid Ruttendjie, executive director of the waterway agency in Fox Lake, said restrictions could change overnight, depending on the amount of water in the system and dangers to boaters.
"The guys have done a great job of getting debris out of the water way, but there is always submerged hazards people should remain aware of," Ruttendjie said. She suggested boaters check the FWA Web site at www.foxwaterway.org.
Arlan Juhl, division manager for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources water resources division, said officials hope the lower river will be open to no-wake by the weekend.
"The flows in and out of the system have been dropping off fairly well, and the stages have reached levels where we are happy with the amount of water going through," Juhl said.
Crews are putting navigation buoys back in place throughout the Fox River and Chain that were moved by flood waters, he added.
Officials say water levels are falling throughout the Fox River system from New Munster, Wis., across the Chain and south to Algonquin.
Swift currents on the lower river presents a danger to boaters, which is why restrictions remain in effect.
The Des Plaines River also is below flood stage.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency continues to tour Lake and five other northern Illinois counties that were hit hard by flooding and storms in August.