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Fox River Stratton Operations Status Update

William G. Stratton-Thomas A. Bolger Lock and Dam

Algonquin Dam

IDNR 2025 Operating Schedule for Stratton Lock

MCHENRY, IL – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) operating schedule for the William G. Stratton-Thomas A. Bolger Lock and Dam facility on the Fox River in McHenry County, opens for the 2025 season on Thursday, May 1. 

Normal operating hours will be seven days per week from 8:00 a.m. until midnight during the months of May through September, and 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. for the month of October.

The Stratton-Bolger facility is closed for the winter season each year from November 1 through April 30.  

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UPDATES

Fox River Update 05/15/2025

To view the full update, click the hyperlink above

Update: *This Update is based on the current forecast and will be adjusted based on future forecasts and rainfall.

SUMMARY

With “Abnormally Dry” conditions expanding and “Moderate Drought” conditions (Figure 5) now covering the central portion of the watershed, the 1.25” to 1.75” of precipitation forecasted for the next 7 Days (Figure 4) will be a slight relief from the dropping inflows. Inflows are forecasted to hold relatively steady over the next week, peaking around Memorial Day weekend (Figure 1). Fox Lake and areas upstream of the dam are forecasted to remain near 4.00’ (Figure 2). The Lower River should expect to see levels remain near where they are now (Figure 3).