Algonquin’s Fox River Flood Level Peaks

Two inches of rain directly upstream from Algonquin’s part of the Fox River brought the water level higher than I have seen it this week.

LaFox River Drive Saturday, July 22, 2017.

And the water gauge bears out my observation.

Here you can see the water gushing out of the three culverts running under Dennis Road.

These are the Dennis Road culverts that are being replaced by Algonquin Township because the dirt and rocks between them has washed out. The bypass pumps could not handle the volume of water pouring over the dam in Lake in the Hills.

Walking down LaFox River Drive Saturday morning, I passed three police officers.

Besides the three police officers, this boat and trailer were parked on LaFox River.

The street was blocked for traffic a block farther south than yesterday.

Most of these LaFox River sandbags appeared since my visit yesterday.

Sandbags now lined the west side of the block between the sidewalk and people’s homes.

Neighbors were helping neighbors bag sand to hold back the Fox River Saturday.

Families were loading more sandbags in the street.

This year’s flood level finally reached the level of the one in 2013. It may be higher.

That apartment building driveway I have been writing about next to Cornish Park on the west side of LaFox River Drive was flooded Saturday morning.

The Fox River’s water expanded up LaFox River Drive to the pile of sand.

The owner of the buildign was there and had been so since 1 AM while the rain was pouring down.

Sandbags next to the sidewalk in Cornish Park did not keep the water from flowing into that part of the park next to the apartment building.

Sandbags lined the entrance to the driveway and the side next to Cornish Park, which has a low spot next to the driveway.

Crystal Lake Menards had pumps in stock when they were needed.

“Thank God for Menard’s and those guys,” he told me pointing to the pumps diminishing the water leading to the garages behind the building and the men who helped sandbag his property.

He told me that if his dike didn’t hold the adjoining neighborhood would flood.

The home with the double dike next to the swiftly flowing Fox River on LaFox River Drive.

On the other Fox River side of the street the home at 205 LaFox—right next to Cornish Park was the scene of pallets full of sandbags being brought in for reenforcing the double-walled dike.

This forklift bought at least four loads of sandbags to re-enforce the double walled dike at this home on LaFox River Drive.

One of the men helping was soaked, having been on the river side of the retaining wall shoring up the sandbags facing the Fox River’s currtnt.

Part of the double walled dike that surrounds the LaFox River Drive home.

Pumps were running to remove the water from between the two walls.

The double walled dike behind the LaFox River Drive home.

Another was pulling water out of the basement, which had been infiltrated for the first time.

This family has been undergoing an incredible amount of stress for over a week.

At the dam, the gates had been raised.

Two day ago the dam gates were somewhat lower. About six inches of water was butting up against them. Now all is going underneath.

When I was there Thursday and Friday, I mistakenly thought that they were in the highest position.

This is LaFox River Drive home from the Route 62 bridge.

The Fox was flowing into the edge of the gates then.

The Algonquin Dam near peak flood stage on Saturday, July 22, 2017.

Now the river flows under them with inches to spare.

The view from the east side of the Route 62 bridge over the Fox River.

Two television crews were evident, CBS and ABC.


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