Will Fox River be too high, fast for canoe race?

Whether the Mid-American Canoe and Kayak Race on the Fox River takes place Sunday depends on how fast the river is running Thursday morning.

As of Wednesday morning, it was too fast, at 2,430 cubic feet per second, said Jim Pilmer, executive director of the Fox Valley Park District. The district runs the event.

The district will make its decision at 10 a.m. Thursday, Pilmer said. He estimated the chance of it being canceled as "50/50."

Pilmer said it is unsafe to run the race at speeds above 2,100 CFS.

The speed could drop by about 100 CFS a day, he said, if there is no additional rain.

The race has two events: one that begins in St. Charles, and one that begins in Batavia.

It has been canceled in 1974, 1996 and 2004 due to river conditions (too high twice, too low once), and in 2007 due to the reconstruction of a bridge in Batavia.

The race began in 1961.

Making a decision Thursday gives plenty of notice to participants, some of whom come from out-of-state, Pilmer said, as well as vendors who would be at the post-race party.

The U.S. Geological Survey measures water discharge at a gauge in South Elgin and another gauge in Montgomery.