The top of the internet version of the Daily Herald's article on the need to replace the McHenry Dam and Locks.

The Daily Herald reportedMonday that the the lock and dam on the Fox River at McHenry is in sad shape.

Needs replacement.

When the dam in Algonquin was wearing out, the U.S. Corps of Engineers came to the rescue.

With most of the Fox River and Chain of Lakes served by the expected incoming Republican Congressman Randy Hultgren, I imagine some calls and letters will be heading in the direction that agency.

It reminds me of a waterways project when I was State Rep. in the 1970’s.

Marengo was flooding and one of the alderman regularly drove past the Illinois Department of Transportation regularly stopped in to see the Division of Waterways people.

I was on the appropriate House Appropriations Committee, so you know what question I was ready to ask whether Marengo’s flood control project was in the budget.

The Waterways’ spokesman preempted me.

He handed out a list of projects in the rank order by cost-benefit analysis.

Marengo was number two.

Similarly, while Hultgren may be criticized for trying to bring “pork” back to the district, the McHenry Locks serve boaters throughout the area.

Indeed, the lock system serves thousands of boats.

And, the Daily Herald article reports that the average boat is now longer.