Lower Fox open to boaters again

The lower Fox River is open to unrestricted boating just in time for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Fox Waterway Agency officials announced Wednesday.

Now, all that's left is the cleanup.

Officials at the Fox Lake-based agency opened the river south of the Stratton Dam in McHenry after water levels in that area dropped below flood stage.

The announcement came two days after restrictions were lifted on the Chain O' Lakes. It's the first time the Chain and Fox River are open since flooding began June 9.

Officials are still warning that floating debris and swift currents remain throughout the system, and people should continue to take caution when boating.

"The water is down to where it's supposed to be and the debris has been cleaned up," said Fox Waterway Agency Director Howard "Bud" Scott. "The buoys have been replaced and things are where they are supposed to be, so it's time to get things going again so everyone can be happy."

However, roughly 400 property owners are still trying to clean up homes, businesses and yards after the worst flooding since 1987.

Kent McKenzie, the Lake County Emergency Management Agency Director, said more than 400 sites were affected by high floodwater. He added that homeowners are busy recording damages to file claims to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"We are trying to figure out what we are going to do with all of the sand bags, and gearing up for some mosquito spraying for affected areas in the county," McKenzie said. "FEMA is in the process of going through records on the amount of money municipalities have spent, and plan to open a disaster recovery center in Fox Lake in the next week or two. So, we are just pushing forward."

Lake County was declared a federal disaster area by FEMA last week, opening the door for home and business owners to receive grants or low-interest loans to repair damages caused by high floodwaters.

Municipalities and the county are waiting to hear if FEMA will reimburse them for the money spent to turn back floodwaters. That decision should be made within a couple of months, McKenzie said.

Scott said state and federal engineers should "put their heads together" and figure out how to stop the flooding rather than reacting to floods after they happen.

"It's time for us to start making solutions instead of dealing with the flooding every time it rains," he said. "I'm sure there is something that can be done. There are people smarter than me who can figure out how to stop this from happening."