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Fox River Stratton Operations Status Update
William G. Stratton-Thomas A. Bolger Lock and Dam
Algonquin Dam
IDNR 2026 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 2026 season on Friday, 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 6/25/2026
To view the full update, click the hyperlink above
*This Update is based on the current forecast and will be adjusted based on future forecasts and rainfall.
SUMMARY
There is currently less than 0.10” of rain forecasted for the lakes over the next 7 Days. Inflows are forecasted to jump to around 2000 cfs and then start dropping off (Figure 1). Fox Lake is currently forecasted to peak near 4.35’ with the Upper River and Pool being slightly lower (Figure 2). The Lower River is forecasted to peak near 2.50’ on the tailwater gage (Figure 3).
