River of History

River of History. . , McHenry Dam has picked up more names along the way, reflecting its long history of construction and recreation. It is officially known today as the William G. Stratton/Thomas A. Bolger Lock and Dam., 1910 , Boat leaving lock of the Fox River dam., 1910 , Fox River Navigable Waterway Association., 1916 , Working on the dam., 1918 , The Fox River shoreline near McHenry Dam., , Pre 1816 , Historic accounts describe a number of large stone slabs placed across the Fox River (probably by the Potatatomi) to aid river crossings. Early pioneers used the stone slabs as hearthstones in their homes., 1887 , Steamboat operators build a dam in an attempt to raise water levels for boating. Farmers fight the construction of the dam, in fear of losing their land to the rising water., 1901 , Senator William Lorimer aids the newly formed Fox River Navigable Waterway Association by lobbying for a new dam. Senator Lorimer was later removed from office for corruption., 1907 , The Fox River Navigable Waterway Association secures a federal permit and builds a wooden dam, raising Fox Lake's water level by six feet. The dam created recreational waters along the 'Chain of Lakes.' By 1910, 30 hotels and 7 saloons are built in the village of Fox Lake alone., 1912 – 1915 , The wooden dam, which is quickly rotted out, is replaced by steel pilings with removable flashboards to regulate water levels. Workers also added a concrete lock to the east side of the dame to provide for navigation around the structure., 1919 – 1923 , The Fox River and Lakes Improvement Association is formed and takes over control and responsibility of the dam. However, by 1923 the association can no longer afford to operated the dam and turns it over to the Illinois Department of Public Works., 1938 – 1939 , After the flood of 1938, the Illinois Division of Waterways, in cooperation with the Civilian Conservation Corps, constructs the present concrete dam. The local Bolger family donates boulders for construction., 1953 , James Hughes "sells" a strip of land for $1 to the State of Illinois in order to improve and maintain the waterway., 1958 – 1960 , Public hearings are held. Residents decide that a new lock and bypass channel should be built. Construction costs $285,000. The lock is officially opened to the public in 1960., 1982 – 1983 , Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Waterworks allocates $150,000 for repair work and to study the basin., 1991 , The McHenry Lock and Dam is renamed the William G. Stratton Lock and Dam in honor of Governor Stratton, a longtime proponent of the dam. Overwhelmed by the honor, Stratton, a native of nearby Ingleside, Illinois, tells the crowd, "Thank you, thank you – a thousand thank yous" at a ceremony honoring his efforts., 2002 , Floodgates are installed at the dam to better control water levels during floods., 2003 , The State of Illinois invests $800,000 on improvements to the park area east of the dam., 2013 , This educational project made possible by Friends of Moraine Hills State Park and McHenry County Community Foundation., 2014 and Beyond , The William G. Stratton/Thomas A. Bolger Life Extension Project begins. The project includes removal of the five sluice gates, installation of new water control gates, and an extension of the lock. Watch for our progress. Check for updates at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/WaterResources/Pages/StrattonLockandDam.aspx, 1939 , The new dam is shown under construction., 1940 , Folks from Chicago fishing off the lock wall., 1940 , Friends fishing at the dam., 1991 , Former Gov. William G. Stratton pushes control buttons to open the lock renamed in his honor.