Suburbs under flood watch as Fox, Des Plaines rivers rise

Lincolnshire appears to claim the dubious distinction of being the first spot along the Des Plaines and Fox rivers to see winter thaw flooding.

The good news is the flooding is minor, with a road closed along the Des Plaines River because of water on the pavement.

Jennifer Hughes, the village's director of public works, said Londonderry Lane is closed between Lincolnshire Drive and Route 45. No buildings have been affected at this time, and the village continues to monitor river levels, she added.

A flood warning remains in effect for the Fox and Des Plaines rivers in Lake, Kane and Cook counties, officials from the National Weather Service said.

Due to high water, the Fox Waterway Agency on Monday declared a no-wake restriction on the Fox River between dams in McHenry and Algonquin. A no-wake restriction means boats must travel at speeds slow enough as to not create a wake behind them.

The Lake County Foest Preserve District has also closed all Des Plaines River Trail underpasses, the canoe launch at Oak Spring and a section of Wright Woods. Trail users and preserve visitors can check the Web site at lcfpd.org for further information.

The Des Plaines River in Lincolnshire is listed about three feet above flood stage, but about two feet below the level where buildings are affected. Gauges at Gurnee and Russell Road show water levels about two feet over flood stage, but still about one foot below the point where buildings are affected.

On the Fox River, gauges in New Munster, Wis. show water about two feet over flood stage but far below the point where buildings are damaged.

Officials hope that means property along the Fox River between the Wisconsin state line and the Chain O' Lakes should be able to avoid any flood damage, said Ed Lescher, the head of the Fox Lake Emergency Management Agency.

Water levels on Fox Lake are high, but only barely at the point where water is on some lawns in low-lying areas, he added.

"It should be cresting here in the next day or so, and won't be going much higher," Lescher said. "Let's just hope the forecast holds out and it's dry until Saturday."

Flood alerts were issued late last week because of rain and significant snow melt across Lake County and in Wisconsin near the Fox and Des Plaines rivers.