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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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Fox River Update 04/14/2025
Update: *This Update is based on the current forecast and will be adjusted based on future forecasts and rainfall.
SUMMARY
The transition from Winter to Summer Pool continues for the official opening of boating season on May 1st. The transition consists of hitting target levels on certain dates in an attempt to make the transition as linear as possible. The current target is 3.25' on April 15th at Fox Lake (the halfway point between 2.5' and 4.0'). The next targets will be on April 20th with Fox Lake at 3.5' and 4.0' on Fox Lake May 1st. Keep in mind that these are target levels and dates; they are highly dependent on weather conditions. There is currently 0.75" of precipitation forecasted for the next 7 days.
