Water levels crest north of the Chain O' Lakes

Officials are continuing to monitor the Fox River and Chain O' Lakes but say the worst may be over.

Because the Fox River north of the Chain -- near Fox River Springs in Antioch -- has crested, the rest of the system should soon see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The downside is that it could take up to two weeks for water levels to drop far enough to lift boating restrictions on the waterways.

Chain O' Lakes

Water levels on the Chain rose another inch from Monday to Tuesday, but it looks like the rise is slowing down.

Late last week, it wasn't uncommon for the lake to rise up to 6 inches overnight. Now, it's expected to rise only 2 inches before cresting later in the week.

The Fox River in New Munster, Wis., crested about 5 feet, 2 inches over flood stage Sunday and dropped about 6 inches by Tuesday afternoon.

The Chain remains more than 2 feet over flood stage, and more than 18 inches over the level where property is damaged. There are about 500 homes in Antioch, Antioch Township, Grant Township and Fox Lake taking on water or with standing water on the property.

People whose homes have been surrounded by water and seeking relief are free to rest at Antioch Grade School at 800 High View Drive in Antioch. The shelter is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. People interested should enter through the activity entrance and follow the Red Cross Disaster Relief signs.

Lake County emergency officials are also asking people who have had their wells surrounded by flood water to get it tested for contaminants by the Lake County Health Department. Until the water recedes and testing can take place, people should use bottled water or boil their water for one minute.

Also, people who have been walking through the floods with open cuts or blisters should get a tetanus booster.

Fox River south of Algonquin

Water levels have risen about an inch in the last 24 hours and should increase about an inch a day until they level off later this week, said Rita Lee, a water hydraulist with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

She said the Fox River is not expected to reach levels that were recorded in August of 2007. She said the river will remain lower because rivers, creeks and lakes that flow into the system have crested and fallen. That means the river is only moving Chain water south.

"It should last longer than people might like, but it won't be as high," she said. "Basically, there is a lot of water in the Chain that needs to be moved out."

The IDNR has closed the river through McHenry, Kane and Kendall counties because of swift moving currents and large debris. Boats are not allowed on the river.

Barry Valentine, director of the McHenry County Emergency Management Agency, said about 150 homes have some water on their lawns, while only about a dozen are damaged by the high water.

"It really has been quiet, though," he said. "The river is rising, of course, but it's rising slower than in past years so people are staying on top of it."

In Algonquin, officials said they are supplying residents with sandbags and keeping their eye on the river.

Cornish Park, which borders the river, remains closed due to flooding.

The river is about 1 inch below flood stage, officials said.

Sandbags are available on a first come, first served basis at Cornish Park, the public works facility on Center Street and at the following streets that intersect with the river: Division Street, Filip Road, Meyer Drive and Oceola Drive.

In West Dundee, the Riverwalk and parts of First Street remain closed because of floodwaters.

Though village officials in East Dundee measured a slight swell in the river's level overnight, Public Works Director T.J. Moore said flooding is limited to the Richardson subdivision.

Moore said Kane County officials have not indicated that the Fox River in East Dundee would leave its shores, but residents should note the increased level.

"The river is supposed to crest sometime tomorrow," Moore said. "The river north of us is already cresting, but the county is telling us that the river (in East Dundee) should crest tomorrow and stay at that level for about a week before it starts going down."

As a precaution, sand and bags are available at the north end of the Haeger Potteries lot on Van Buren Avenue.