Fox River canoe race canceled due to high water

The Mid-American Canoe and Kayak Race that was to take place Sunday on the Fox River has been canceled.

"We're really disappointed. This is a signature event for the park district and the region," said Dan Leahy, marketing and communications director for the Fox Valley Park District.

But the river is running too high and fast to be safe for all the participants, he said, and the district calculates water levels won't drop enough by Sunday to be safe.

Water was flowing Thursday morning at more than 4.030 cubic feet per second at the gauge at South Elgin, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The district believes anything above 2,100 CFS is unsafe.

The annual race started in 1961. It has been canceled twice before for high water, once for low water, and once because of bridge construction.

Refunds will be issued to participants who already had registered.

The party at McCullough Park at the finish line also has been canceled.