Operational Updates
Fox River Status Update
May 9, 2013
Current Conditions
Inflows to the Chain of Lakes are 1600 cfs and falling based on the stream gages at Fox River near New Munster, Wisconsin and Nippersink Creek near Spring Grove. Fox River near New Munster, WI is below flood stage . The Chain of Lake stage is 4.7 feet at Fox Lake. Outflows from Stratton Dam are 2540 cfs with a tailwater stage of 3.5 feet. Algonquin Dam tailwater stage is 8.8 feet. The last rainfall was recorded the morning of May 4.
Forecast
The National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting the potential for ½ ” to 1” of precipitation over Fox River today. The NWS is predicting peak flows the Fox River near New Munster, WI will continue to drop. The NWS is predicting that the Fox River Algonquin Dam tailwater gage will continue to drop. The river predictions are based on the ½” of precipitation over the Fox River watershed above Algonquin Dam.
Operations
The hinged crest gate at Stratton Dam has been closed, even with the spillway crest. No flow is going over the spillway crest and hinged crest gate. The sluice gates remain open at Stratton Dam. The hinged crest gate at Algonquin Dam is half way opened. The Chain of Lakes and Fox River continue to drop about 1 ½” per day.
As the Chain of Lakes and Fox River continue to fall and inflows to the Chain drop off, the gates at both dams will be closed incrementally.
Rita M. Lee, P.E., CFM
Water Resources Engineer
IDNR Office of Water Resources
1 Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702
217.524.2387