Some boating restrictions lifted today
Fox Waterway Agency officials say boating restrictions will be lifted on a portion of the Chain O' Lakes and Fox River today.
The decision, which goes into effect at 8 a.m., opens the door for boaters to cruise at no-wake speeds.
Officials said they received notice from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources that swift currents surrounding bridges have slowed, and most large obstructions have been removed.
However, they warned all boaters to be mindful of debris and to avoid swift currents.
The restrictions are lifted only on the portion of the Fox River north from the Stratton-Bolger Lock and Dam in McHenry through the Chain. Boaters must travel at no-wake speeds -- less than 5 mph.
Meanwhile, Lake County officials are waiting to start spraying for mosquitoes, which have come out in force as floodwaters are receding.
Tiffany Bronk, spokeswoman from the Lake County Health Department, said floodwater mosquitoes do not carry the West Nile Virus.
However, she said people still should protect themselves from being bitten.
"These mosquitoes will be a nuisance, for sure, but we are not as concerned about West Nile because the Culex mosquitoes prefer hot and dry conditions," Bronk said.
Kent McKenzie, head of the Lake County Emergency Management Agency, said the county and local villages will spray for mosquitoes as soon as the water recedes and the rain stops.
"The best time to spray the treatment is when the water isn't flowing as much because all the treatment will float away," he said. "At the same time, you don't want to wait too long because the mosquito eggs will hatch."
In addition, rain will wash out any treatment that is sprayed, he added.
McKenzie also is warning people to not put the sandbags away just yet.
Meteorologists predict 1 to 3 inches of rain will fall across the Fox River watershed by Friday morning.
If that happens, McKenzie said, the Fox River could rise a foot in New Munster, Wis. That would cause the Fox River to rise in Illinois, or at the least keep rivers and lakes at current levels for a longer period of time.
"We don't expect a complete reversal where the Chain and Fox River rises again," he said. "But it will impede the recession of water, turning this from a three-week flood to a four-week flood."
River levels to the north are 2 feet above flood stage, but dropping about 6 inches per day at New Munster. Barring additional rain, the river would fall below flood stage early next week, officials estimate.
The Chain also has been receding swiftly. It's listed as 1 foot over flood stage and about 6 inches above the point where homes and property are damaged. The levels are dropping 3 to 4 inches over a 24-hour period.
"We want nothing more than to see this end, but unfortunately, it looks like it's going to last a little longer than we hoped," McKenzie said.