Rains affect Fox River, Chain O’Lakes, Starved Rock/Matthiessen SPs

The heavy rains in the past week caused some closures and advisories around northern Illinois, including at Starved Rock SP and the Fox River.

By Dale Bowman

Resized/Sun-Times — Flood photo from the Illinois DNR in early October, 2019.

The heavy rains over the past week across northern Illinois have impacted many public areas, including some of weekend importance to Chicago-area outdoor-enthusiasts.

FOX RIVER: As of Thursday evening, the Fox River is closed to boating from the Stratton Lock & Dam to the Bridge Street Bridge in Millington. More at https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/closures/Documents/FoxRiverLakeMcHenryKaneandKendal.pdf.

CHAIN O’LAKES: Zone A (lower river), as noted above is closed to boating, while the other two zones—the Chain and the upper river—are no-wake with a debris advisory. Updates at http://www.foxwaterway.com/.

STARVED ROCK/MATTHIESSEN: Late Thursday afternoon, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources tweeted this update on the complex centered around Starved Rock and Matthiessen state parks:

Flooding has closed the main parking lot at Starved Rock SP; gravel overflow lot off IL Rt. 71 open; Lodge guests may park in the Lodge lot. Tonti Canyon/bridge are closed. Matthiessen: Strawberry Rock/Upper Dells trail, Lower Dells, equestrian trails/campground are closed.

There are other restrictions in more distant northern Illinois waterways.

Next Up In Outdoors

High hopes for Heidecke Lake fishing: Prospects look good for the season, despite a brutal opener

Chicago fishing, Midwest Fishing Report: Hoping on a warm-up, coho, smallmouth, browns, steelhead

A little help from friends on bagging first spring gobbler leads to Turkey of the Week

An old favorite of the Chicago River, the common carp, still have ‘Big Shoulders’ downtown

Chicago outdoors: Frog sounds question, inquisitive mink, early hummingbird, big Shabbona walleye

Rare wild turkey sightings along lakefront come to a tragic end