Fox River Flood Survey - September 2007

Fox River Flood - September 2007 Survey Report

The first flooded area surveyed was on Grove Street, in northern St. Charles. The access road which connects to Grove Street is Somerset drive, on the west side of Illinois Route 25. This area is on the west side of the Fox River. Norton creek joins the Fox Rriver just north of the area. The Fox river Bike Trail is along Grove Street. The river flooded Grove Street and there were homes with sandbags surrounding them on the east side of the street. On the west side there are 5 homes. Three were completely flooded. These houses are along the river. The river runs south here and there are no islands. The elevation is around 690 feet MSL about the same elevation of the river. There is a ridge just east of the state highway 25 up to 740 feet MSL where there are gravel pits.

The pictures show the amount of flooding that occurred. Debris can be seen on Grove Street and on the Fox River bike trail. This shows how far the water inundated the area. Standing water on the east side of Grove Street shows the extent of the river flood before it was surveyed.

Fig 1. This is a home on the west side of Grove Street. We are looking west. The river is seen beyond the house.

Fig 2. This is another home on the west side of Grove Street. We are looking west. The house
is on the west bank of the Fox River.

This is Grove Street. Note the debris on the street and water on the right side of the street. The flood once covered Grove Street. We are looking north.

This is Grove Street. Note the debris on the street and water on the right side of the street. The flood once covered Grove Street. We are looking north.

Fig 3. This is Grove Street. Note the debris on the street and water on the right side of the
street. The flood once covered Grove Street. We are looking north.

Fig 4. A flooded front yard on Grove Street. The personal belongings were from the home
owner’s first floor and basement.

Fig 5. This is the Fox River Trail which runs into Grove Street. Note the debris and mud on
the plants on the left side. This is a result of the flood.

Fig 6. We are looking south on Grove Street. There are flood debris on the street and water
on the west side of the street.

The second area of flooding surveyed was along the Fox River on the south end of East Dundee, Illinois. The flood was about ¼ mile south on Fox River Drive. This whole area is on the east side of the Fox River. The river here splits around an island as it bends to the west a little. Then, the river turns south at the south end of the subdivision. The elevation is around 710 ft above MSL. Along Elgin drive, just east of Richardson Road entrance was a benchmark for 723 ft. MSL and immediately east of Elgin Road the elevation rises rapidly to above 850 ft MSL. The area of this flood is definitely in a valley with the same elevation of the river. The ground is paved just north of the subdivision in the city of east Dundee. There is a forest along Elgin Road and on the west bank of the river. Extensive flooding still was occurring as I drove through. The road was covered with water about 6 inches deep. There were 15 houses. All of the area, including Fox River Drive, Flent Drive, and Bass Court were flooded. People who lived there were driving to their homes. Some houses did not sustain damage on the first floor, because they had foundations. Other houses did. This area is on the river and the island appeared to be under water. I could see flowing water at bases of the trees. The river bends here and island narrows the channel.

Fig 7. This is looking south on Fox River Drive. The water was about 6 inches deep.

Fig 8. This is one of the houses on the west side of Fox River Drive. You can see the Fox River in the background.

Fig 9. This is another house along Fox River Drive. We are looking west and the river is behind the house.

This is the corner of Fox River Drive and Bass Court. The river is on the right side of this picture. We are looking east and the Fox River bends east at this location.

Fig 10. This is the corner of Fox River Drive and Bass Court. The river is on the right side of this picture. We are looking east and the Fox River bends east at this location.

We are looking towards the northeast on Fox River Drive. The river is on the left side of this picture about ½ of city block west. Houses on both sides of the street were flooded.

Fig 11. We are looking towards the northeast on Fox River Drive. The river is on the left side of this picture about ½ of city block west. Houses on both sides of the street were flooded.

Fig 12. This is a house on the east side of Fox River Drive.

Driving through East Dundee on Washington Street and North Avenue, I saw a lot of furniture, carpets and other water damaged belongings on the curbs. Washington Street runs along the river.

Fig 13. This is the Fox River in East Dundee. We are looking south.

North of Carpentersville is the Fox River Shores forest preserve. I visited the park and boat launch. There was standing water throughout the park along the river. The Fox River was high and the flow was fast.

Fig 14. Fox River Shores Park, looking north along the Fox River.

Fig 15. Water standing in the park, looking north.

Algonquin Road was closed because of a washed out bridge over a culvert. This is east and up a hill from the Fox River. The Fox River Trail is between the river and this road. This was not due to river flooding. The land continues to rise above the road to the east. This washout was probably a result of heavy rain water flowing downhill and into the culvert. The picture shows the damage on the east side of the pavement. This is flash flood damage due to heavy rain and excess runoff.

Fig 16. This is the washed out Algonquin Road. We are looking North.

Fig 17. This is the washed out culvert.

The third area of flooding surveyed was in a subdivision in an unincorporated area just south of Algonquin, Illinois. The flooded area was south of Sowanas Road along Winakai Drive. Winakai Drive is along the river and bends with the river. This area is on the east bank of the Fox River. The river bends east then south and then southeast in this region. There were 5 homes that were damaged. Three of the houses are at the bend. Wanakai Drive was flooded, so I was not able to walk to the houses. The pictures show the homes and the river flowing right behind them.

Fig 18. Along Winakai Drive, The river is in the background.

Fig 19. Winakai Drive

Fig 20. A house on Winakai Drive.

The dam at Algonquin along route 62 was overtopped with water flowing over the dam. The gate was wide open. A city park south of the dam and on the west side of the river was flooded, as the picture shows. One can see the water was high enough to top the dam.

Fig 21. Algonquin Dam with the gates open.

Fig 22. Flooded Park at Algonquin Dam in Algonquin.

On the Fox River, north of Algonquin and along Algonquin Drive, boat docks were nearly submerged. This shows that the river level was very high north of the Algonquin dam.

By Bill Wilson, 9/15/2007

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office