Flooding Warning

Sunday, June 15, 2008 12:05 p.m.
Scattered storms yesterday and overnight produced very little additional rainfall over any of our watersheds. Additional storms this morning and tonight may bring some rain to Lake County, but the greatest risk of heavier rain and more severe storms appears to be to our south.

The Fox River upstream of Lake County at New Munster Wisconsin continues to rise. Drier weather is expected for our area in the coming week, with precipitation forecast for the next five days at about a half an inch of rain across our area. The Des Plaines River continues to fall in Lake County, and should be below its flood stage of 7.0 feet at Gurnee by Monday evening and at Russell by Wednesday.

The Fox River at New Munster is now forecast by the National Weather Service (NWS) to crest Sunday night at 15.2 feet, above the record flood level set last August for that gauge. The duration of major-stage flooding on the Fox River at New Munster is now forecast to continue into next Saturday. Water levels in the Fox River Springs subdivision now exceed levels seen last August, severe flooding continues, and will likely continue throughout this week and into the next week.

While the Fox River continues to dump more water into the Chain of Lakes than can flow out of the Chain, the rate of rise on the Chain has slowed. The water level across the Chain is now within an inch of levels seen last August, and will likely keep rising slowly until Thursday or Friday of this week. The lower Fox River also continues to rise, and is now within about six inches of levels it reached last August.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is keeping the flood gates open at the Stratton Lock and Dam in McHenry County. We now expect the Chain to slightly exceed the flood levels we experienced last August, but probably not by much. The Fox Waterway Agency and IDNR have designated the lower Fox as a restricted (no boating) zone because of the high water levels and dangerous currents, and have also restricted the Chain of Lakes and Upper Fox to no-wake zones.

Debris, including trees, logs, docks, shore stations, and other personal property, remains a concern for boaters and for hydrologists. Debris can obstruct the flow of water, causing unexpected rises in flood levels in localized areas. Residents can help reduce the amount of debris on rivers and lakes by making sure their shore stations, boats, picnic tables and chairs, toys, and other property are secured in place or moved above the expected flood lines.

The Fox Waterway Agency and IDNR are prepared to respond to obstructions as necessary. Lake County continues to provide resources to our partner communities. Sandbags are available through Township Highway Departments and Municipalities. Many Lake County and partner departments and agencies are working to help our communities and their residents.