Flood Warning Remains For Fox River, Des Plaines River

Heavy rainfall over the past week has lead to flooding throughout the area. A flood warning has been issued for the Fox River from Johnsburg to Red Gate Road in St. Charles as well as for the Des Plaines River in near Gurnee, the Des Plaines River near Des Plaines and the Des Plaines River in Lincolnshire.

In Algonquin, minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is in the forecast. As of Friday morning, the river was at 10.2 feet and flood stage is 9.5 feet. The river will continue to rise to 10.4 feet by Sunday before falling below flood stage next Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

At 10.5 feet, low-lying sections of Cornish Park become inundated with water.

Along the Des Plaines River near Gurnee, which includes a stretch of river from US-41 in Gurnee downstream to Townline Road in Vernon Hills, the river was at 7.7 feet Friday morning. The river is expected to rise to 7.9 feet by Sunday evening. At 7 feet, low-lying areas near the river become inundated, according to the National Weather Service.

With swift currents, floating debris and submerged structures and piers being reported along the Fox River, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has decided to close down the river to all recreational boating traffic. No boats will be allowed on the Fox River from Pistakee Lake south to the Montgomery Dam until further notice, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Boats will be allowed on the Chain O' Lakes with "no wake" and a debris advisory in place.

In Kane County, the forest preserve district has listed the following closures due to flooding:

• All boat/canoe launches are now closed.
• The island at Fabyan Forest Preserve in Geneva is closed from the causeway (west) to the bridge (east).
• The Virgil Gilman Trail at KaDeKa Road is closed.
• All equestrian trails are currently closed for riding.
• The Fox River Trail is closed at Stearns Road between Sunset Drive and St. Charles, near the Q Center.
• At Tyler Creek Forest Preserve in Elgin, the trail under Illinois Route 31 is closed.
• The back section of Buffalo Park Forest Preserve in Algonquin is closed.
• The Riverbend Trail between Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve in South Elgin and Silver Glen Road is closed.
• A portion of an internal trail at Fitchie Creek Forest Preserve in Elgin is closed
• A few of the sites within Paul Wolff Campground are closed, but there are plenty of other sites open and available at the campground.

The flooding should come as no surprise after the amount of rain the Chicago area has been getting in recent weeks. From April 29 to May 9, 7.93 inches of rain fell in Aurora, 7.31 inches of rain fell in Elgin, and 6.73 inches of rain fell in Romeoville.

For the latest information on river levels and flood warnings, visit the National Weather Service website and Facebook page.