IDNR to host open house on Stratton Lock and Dam Lock

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will host an open house on Wednesday, Dec. 14 to display alternatives for lock expansion and sluice gate structure replacement at William G. Stratton Lock and Dam on the Fox River in McHenry. The open house will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the William G. Stratton Lock and Dam, 2910 W. State Park Road in McHenry.

The Boat Lock at Stratton Dam was constructed in 1960. The lock at Stratton Dam does not have the capacity to handle current demands for boat passage due to the increasing size of boats and the number of boats utilizing the lock.

Wait times at the lock on the weekends and holidays can be up to two hours. Repair parts are becoming hard to find while at least one of the lock actuators needs to be replaced every year.

The sluice gate structure at Stratton Lock and Dam was constructed in 1939. The useful life of the gates has expired. Severe deterioration of the gates has led to problems operating the gates. Maintaining water levels in the Chain O’Lakes requires that the gates be replaced. Removing the ice in the winter is dangerous. Parts for the motors are hard to replace.

At the open house, alternatives investigated to expand the lock will be displayed. Alternative gate configurations will also be displayed. Staff from the IDNR Office of Water Resources and the design consultant, Hanson Professional Services, Inc., will be available to discuss alternatives and answer questions. Public comment will be accepted for inclusion in alternative selection.


Posted

in

by

Tags: