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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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*This Update is based on the current forecast and will be adjusted based on future forecasts and rainfall.
SUMMARY
There is between 1.75” – 2.00” of rain forecasted for the watershed over the next 7 Days, (Figure 4). Inflows will continue dropping until the next significant rain on Friday (Figure 1). Fox Lake is forecasted to remain above 5.00’ for the duration of the forecast, with the Upper River and Pool being slightly lower (Figure 2). The Lower River should expect water levels to remain above 4.00’ on the Fox River (Tailwater) Near McHenry gage as well (Figure 3).
