Fox Waterway Agency - Serving the Fox River Chain O' Lakes in Lake and Mchenry counties in Illinois

FOX WATERWAY AT WORK!

    
   

01/01/2010

Stratton Lock & Dam Phone: 815-385-2848; Hours of Operation: CLOSED- Mon and Tues (Except Holidays, starting in May); Wed and Sun - 10A - 10P; Thurs, Fri, Sat - 10A - 12A; Holiday Hours 10A - 12A

01/01/2010

Lake County Marine Unit 847-587-4470 McHenry County Marine Unit 815-385-3239 IDNR Conservation Police 847-608-3100 US Coast Guard 1-800-336-BOAT
 

The Illinois Fox River Chain O'Lakes is the busiest inland recreational waterway per acre in the entire United States.  Only an hour's drive from Chicago, Milwaukee, and Rockford, and with over 7,100 acres of water, 15 lakes and 45 miles of river.  This "Key West of the Midwest" accommodates every water-borne activity including boating, swimming, tubing, waterskiing, hunting and fishing, and appeals to everyone from families and couples, to the more adventurous weekender.  Chicagoland's playground for over 100 years also boasts some of the best restaurants and marinas, two State Parks and other entertainment venues and events unique only to the Fox River Chain O'Lakes.


Dredging Packet

Customer Concerns

Duckblinds

Boat Slip Map 

User Fee Schedule

Application

Waterway Clean-up

Homeowner Buoy Application

Aquatic Herbicide Permit

Freedom of Information Request (FOIA)

Webcam from Fox Waterway Agency Headquarters Pistakee Lake

 

The Fox Waterway Agency is a regional body of government created by the State of Illinois in 1984 to specifically manage the waterways of the Chain O’Lakes and the Illinois Fox River.  Since it is a multi-jurisdictional Federal and State public waterway, we are funded entirely by boating fees, grants, and legislative funding.  Those funds support the FWA’s main mission of dredging and maintaining public safety through our buoy and debris program to address the needs of our 3.5 million visitors per year.  Recently, we have begun a program to recycle lake and river sediment by selling it as topsoil, with a goal to self-fund the multitude of eroding shoreline and environmental restoration projects awaiting work. 


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ALERT - THERE HAVE BEEN SOME ADDITIONAL NO BOAT AREAS DUE TO DREDGING CHECK OUR CONSTRUCTION PAGE FOR INFORMATION AND LOCATIONS *** Captains, please use caution and beware of submerged or floating debris*** 
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Lower River Status
Upper River Status
Chain o' Lakes Status