My son and I were in Algonquin Saturday and decided to take a look at the Fox River.
The ten-year old really did not want to go.
He was so certain that it would be a bore.
But, after seeing the roiling water, he changed his mind.
He wondered what the smooth places were.
Neighbor Rebbecca Giltner explained that there were strong currents under the water, while warning to stay away from the edge of the river’s bank, that the water was very cold.
My son even decided he wanted the job of “picture spotter” after I praised his pointing out a goose that we think was sitting on her nest next to a tree surrounded by the rising water.
“Five cents an hour, Dad,” he bargained.
“Good price,” I said agreeably.
Near “Goose Island,” was a tire in the front yard of the house next to the new park. Geese were swimming under it.
Although I didn’t get a photo of it, my son noticed two mallard ducks landing sideways on the Fox. They were immediately and, we believe, unexpectedly swept downstream.
Looking at the trees in the water across the river, it seemed that the high water mark was about two feet above the levels at about 1 PM Saturday afternoon.
Another photographer, Laura Stoecker, was at at the corner where we stopped farther south.
I introduced myself and asked where we would see her photos.
She said in the Daily Herald.
She was really looking for sand bags and the ones across the river were the only ones visible.
I suggested going farther up river.
Our neighborhood guide pointed out how deep the water had been last summer during the third week of August. She said the bench in the picture above had been completely covered. You can see a closer picture of the garage, bench and ducks, here.
Three to four feet higher than the river’s level when we were there.
So, how high was it?
Look at the sandbags sitting on top of a step to the left of the house across the river. There are five steps under water that usually lead to the river’s edge.
When we looked at the dam, it was hard to tell that it was there.
Right on the south side of the Route 62 bridge, the dam seemed to be only about a foot or so above the water level downstream.
I’ve never seen the dam the Corps of Engineers built in drier weather, so I’ll have to take my son back so we can make the comparison.
Maybe we’ll do that on Mother’s Day, when the Giangrasso family eats brunch at Port Edward. The view probably won’t be like this when we look toward the restaurant.
All photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.
