Boaters, golfers among those affected by flooding

Some flooded areas in Lake County will force golfers, boaters and others to make alternate plans this weekend, even if there is sunshine.

Libertyville's 9-hole municipal golf course and the 18-hole Crane's Landing layout at Marriott's Lincolnshire Resort were forced to close after getting hit by water that jumped the Des Plaines River's banks.

In northwest Lake County, high water has triggered special restrictions designed to prevent boaters from zipping around the Chain O' Lakes. Boaters with a need for speed will risk fines of up to $500.

Adrienne Heffernan, tournament coordinator/golf sales at Crane's Landing, said the course often is open for 9 holes when the river floods the property. However, she said Friday, that wasn't possible this time because of water-covered cart paths.

"We will be closed Saturday and Sunday," Heffernan said.

Elsewhere in Lincolnshire, part of Londonderry Lane was closed by flooding Friday. There also was some water pooling on roadways near the Des Plaines River.

"We're not anywhere near the sandbagging level yet," Lincolnshire Mayor Brett Blomberg said.

Friday was supposed to be the start of the new season at Libertytville's 9-hole Riverside course, but heavy flooding changed that plan. Libertyville Parks and Recreation Director James Zych said the course will be closed for at least the coming week, and players should check with the village the week of May 11 on the course's status.

Boaters who want to hit the Chain this weekend must abide by no-wake restrictions, meaning they can't travel more than 5 mph in an effort to prevent high water from churning and creating more of a problem.

Fox Waterway Agency Executive Director Ingrid Danler said the restriction will be strictly enforced by police marine units. Violators will face a fine of up to $500 and possibly jail time if convicted.

Danler said warnings about the stiff fines have been issued to organizers of three weekend fishing tournaments expected to proceed as planned on the Chain. She said the maximum no-wake fine was raised to $500 to serve as a deterrent.

High water led to postponement of a community cleanup of the upper and lower Fox River and the Chain. Danler said it has been rescheduled for June 13.

Visitors might encounter problems if they use the Des Plaines River Trail, which runs along its namesake in Lake County. Lake County Forest Preserve District spokeswoman Susan Hawkins said high water forced closure of five underpasses south of Grand Avenue in Gurnee.

Signs along the trail warn of the closures. No detours are available, so runners or bikers must turn around when they reach a shuttered underpass.

"They're just such low-lying areas, they tend to flood," Hawkins said.

•Daily Herald staff writer Russell Lissau contributed to this report.