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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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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
It looks like the spigot has been turned off, as the system is currently in less than ideal flow conditions (Figure 1). There is currently between 0.75”-1.00” of rain forecasted for the watershed over the next 7 Days and will do little to raise inflows (Figure 4). The Chain, Upper River, and Pool are forecasted hold near current levels (Figure 2). The Lower River is forecasted to drop slightly from the lack of inflows (Figure 3).
