Fox River Flood Recede May Take a Week If Dry
Source: shawlocal.com
TL;DR
- Fox River Flooding: National Weather Service hydrologist Scott Lincoln forecasts the Fox River may recede to its banks by mid-next week if it stays dry.
- New Munster Crest: The New Munster gauge crested at 15 feet Sunday and has fallen slowly since.
- Slow Recede Impacts: Floodwaters take days to recede downstream, with Chain O’ Lakes near major flood stage and road closures ongoing.
The story at a glance
The article details the ongoing Fox River flooding in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, based on an interview with National Weather Service Chicago hydrologist Scott Lincoln. Lincoln explains current gauge readings, slow recession timelines, and the need for local updates on riverbank changes. It's reported now amid heavy rain earlier this week, with parts of the river still rising as of Tuesday.
Key points
- New Munster gauge crested at 15 feet Sunday and has fallen slowly; it's the primary flow into Chain O’ Lakes.
- Fox Lake gauge at 7.5 feet Tuesday, highest since July 2017 (which hit 8 feet), and a fraction under major flood stage while climbing.
- Chain O’ Lakes generally near major flood stage and climbing slowly as of midday Tuesday.
- Below Algonquin dam, water expected to climb through Thursday to 12.2 feet, major flood stage.
- River Road closed for a mile east of Stratton Lock; Rawson Bridge remains closed.
- Elgin expected to stay at or below minor flood stage; South Elgin dam steady, rising less than 0.1 foot recently.
- Nunda Township ended sandbag volunteer call started last Thursday.
Details and context
Floodwaters progress slowly south, taking 3-4 days for downstream gauges to crest after New Munster. The weather service relies on gauge data, historic records, and local reports from emergency managers and residents to update flood impact databases, as riverbank changes like buyouts or levees alter flooding patterns.
Water levels vary across the spread-out Chain O’ Lakes. Gauges are satellite-connected but not everywhere, as communities must fund them if they face regular floods. Major vs. minor flood stage depends on local bank heights and risks to homes or property.
Stratton Lock and Dam reached major flood stage overnight. Models show no heavy rain soon, but light rain is forecast.
Key quotes
- “It needs to stay dry to make that,” said hydrologist Scott Lincoln on the mid-next week recession timeline.
- “The lakes are spread out and don’t rise and fall like a bathtub. But generally – the Chain O’ Lakes are near major flood state and still climbing slowly as of midday Tuesday,” Lincoln said.
Why it matters
Fox River flooding affects homes, roads, and parks across McHenry County and the Chain O’ Lakes area. Residents face road closures like River Road and Rawson Bridge, potential major flooding below Algonquin, and need to avoid driving through floodwaters. Watch weather models for rain and river gauges at water.noaa.gov, as dry conditions could speed recession but upstream rises may continue downstream.
FAQ
Q: When might the Fox River recede to its banks?
A: Hydrologist Scott Lincoln says it may be within banks by around middle of next week if no heavy rain falls. This is based on New Munster gauge data and historic records. Recession takes days as water moves south.
Q: How high are Chain O’ Lakes water levels?
A: Fox Lake gauge hit 7.5 feet Tuesday, highest since 8 feet in July 2017, and a fraction under major flood stage while climbing slowly. Levels aren't uniform across the lakes. Parts remain in major flood state.
Q: What road closures are reported?
A: McHenry County closed a mile of River Road from McHenry Dam Road to West Fernview Lane due to water over the road. Rawson Bridge near Cary stays closed from Tuxedo Lane to Broken Oar. More closures expected as river rises.
Q: Why does the weather service need local updates?
A: Changes like home buyouts, parkland, or new levees alter flood paths, which aren't all tracked without resident or official reports. This updates their database for future flood impacts. Gauges provide current data but not all ground changes.