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.
