May 13, 2010
 
Current Conditions
Inflows at 8am this morning were 2400 cfs and rising rapidly.  Chain of Lakes is rising with a current stage of 4.46 feet.  Outflows from Stratton Dam were 2170 cfs.  Rainfall was heaviest in the Illinois portion of the Fox River watershed with 2.4" at McHenry and 3" in Barrington and Elgin.  Rainfall in the Wisconsin portion of the watershed was 0.5" at New Munster and 1.2" in Waukesha.  Flows at Algonquin Dam are 3400 cfs.  
 
Forecast
National Weather Service is predicting between ¼" and ½" of additional rainfall today.  The NWS river forecast for the Fox River near New Munster, Wisconsin suggests that it will crest at a flow of 2800 cfs on May 15.  The Office of Water Resources is expecting total inflows to the Chain of Lakes to crest between 4500 cfs and 5000 cfs. With these projected inflows and while managing the operations plan to minimize damages, the Chain of Lakes will crest near 5.2 on May 16.  The Fox River will continue to rise as the inflows and Chain rise.
 
Operation Scenario
The sluice gates at Stratton Dam are open to 2.5' and the hinged crest gate is at the spillway elevation.  The hinged crest gate at Algonquin Dam was opened to 1' below the spillway and will be opened further to 3' below the spillway crest.  As the heaviest rainfall fell at Stratton Dam and downstream, there will be a small delay in opening the sluice gates to pass 3000cfs in order to give the local tributaries time to peak.  Currently there is a significant increase in flows between Stratton Dam and Algonquin Dam due to the distribution of the heavy rainfall in the McHenry to Elgin area.  The sluice gates will be opened tonight or tomorrow to release 3000cfs but outflow will rise higher as flow goes over the spillway.  Please remember current inflows are less than 3000 cfs.  Residences along the Fox River and Chain of Lakes will experience flooding in their yards and crawl spaces.  There are homes in Cary and Fox Lake that will likely have water on their living space.