The Fox River in the Elgin-area should crest Thursday into Friday but the public is advised to keep an eye on conditions and weather forecasts through coming week, the National Weather Service said.
Scott Lincoln, a hydrologist for the NWS Chicago Bureau, said the section of the Fox from the Chain of Lakes to Montgomery crested Wednesday into Thursday.
“Most locations are expected to remain elevated into the weekend, with water levels falling little until early next week,” Lincoln said.
According to information provided by Lincoln:
Chain of Lakes crested Wednesday into Thursday just above major flood stage of 7.5 feet;
Algonquin Dam tailwater crested Thursday into Friday just above major flood stage of 12 feet;
South Elgin Dam was expected to crest Thursday into Friday just below minor flood stage of 14.5 feet;
Montgomery was expected to crest on Saturday just above minor flood stage, but expected to remain relatively steady near that point into next week.
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“These forecasts are based upon forecasted rainfall through Friday morning,” Lincoln said. “Any additional rainfall that occurs beyond that time period could mean future adjustments to the forecasts.”
As such, the Chicago Bureau is monitoring multiple rainfall chances in the weather forecast, including Thursday into Friday and Monday into Tuesday, he said.
The river’s current high levels haven’t been seen in quite a few years:
The Fox River Chain of Lakes most recently reached at least the current height in July 2017;
Algonquin Dam tailwater most recently reached the current high in July 2017. That gauge almost reached these levels in May 2020;
The Elgin observation location most recently reached this high in July 2017. That site almost reached these levels in May 2020;
South Elgin most recently reached at least this high in May 2020.
To monitor the latest river forecasts, go to water.noaa.gov.
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.