McHenry
County is responding to the dry weather conditions by coordinating with
municipalities and large water consumers and urging all residents to take
voluntary water conservation measures.
According to the National Weather Service, Northern Illinois, including McHenry County, is experiencing a period of abnormally dry weather. For the period January 1st to June 21st, precipitation at O’Hare Airport measured only 12.65 inches compared to the average annual precipitation of 15.55 inches.
Precipitation in McHenry County is down even more. For the same period, Hebron received only 10.35 inches of precipitation.
With the decreased precipitation, water flow in many of our area streams is greatly reduced and water levels in many ground water monitoring wells are falling.
According to preliminary USGS data, average stream flow for the Fox River below the Algonquin Dam for the period from June 1st to June 26th, has been 384 cfs (cubic feet per second), which is 59.8 percent below the average monthly June stream flow of 955 cfs .
Preliminary data from McHenry County’s groundwater monitoring well in Algonquin Township shows that the average June depth to the water table is 4.39 feet below the average for June of the previous three years.
According to the National Weather Service, while precipitation for the year is running below average, the rainfall deficits since May 8th are particularly severe. Dry weather over the past month plus is occurring during the start of what is typically the wettest time of year in the region and at a time that is critical for farmers to get adequate rainfall toward the start of the growing season for the corn and soybean fields. Recent high temperatures may exacerbate the impacts on agricultural crops.
To respond to the situation, McHenry County is organizing a summit of county and municipal officials, golf course operators, agricultural representatives, other high volume water users, and other interested stakeholders to discuss ways to respond if the abnormally dry conditions continue.
McHenry County is urging all residents to implement voluntary water conservation measures such as: watering lawns and gardens in the early morning and evening hours and only when absolutely necessary; avoiding washing cars; repairing leaky water fixtures; turning off the water while shaving and brushing teeth; taking shorter showers; using dishwashers and clothes washers only when full; and by not letting the water run when washing dishes by hand.
For more water conservation ideas, please visit the McHenry County water resources website: www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/waterresources. For more information about the summit, please contact Dennis Sandquist, Director of Planning & Development at 815-334-4560.
According to the National Weather Service, Northern Illinois, including McHenry County, is experiencing a period of abnormally dry weather. For the period January 1st to June 21st, precipitation at O’Hare Airport measured only 12.65 inches compared to the average annual precipitation of 15.55 inches.
Precipitation in McHenry County is down even more. For the same period, Hebron received only 10.35 inches of precipitation.
With the decreased precipitation, water flow in many of our area streams is greatly reduced and water levels in many ground water monitoring wells are falling.
According to preliminary USGS data, average stream flow for the Fox River below the Algonquin Dam for the period from June 1st to June 26th, has been 384 cfs (cubic feet per second), which is 59.8 percent below the average monthly June stream flow of 955 cfs .
Preliminary data from McHenry County’s groundwater monitoring well in Algonquin Township shows that the average June depth to the water table is 4.39 feet below the average for June of the previous three years.
According to the National Weather Service, while precipitation for the year is running below average, the rainfall deficits since May 8th are particularly severe. Dry weather over the past month plus is occurring during the start of what is typically the wettest time of year in the region and at a time that is critical for farmers to get adequate rainfall toward the start of the growing season for the corn and soybean fields. Recent high temperatures may exacerbate the impacts on agricultural crops.
To respond to the situation, McHenry County is organizing a summit of county and municipal officials, golf course operators, agricultural representatives, other high volume water users, and other interested stakeholders to discuss ways to respond if the abnormally dry conditions continue.
McHenry County is urging all residents to implement voluntary water conservation measures such as: watering lawns and gardens in the early morning and evening hours and only when absolutely necessary; avoiding washing cars; repairing leaky water fixtures; turning off the water while shaving and brushing teeth; taking shorter showers; using dishwashers and clothes washers only when full; and by not letting the water run when washing dishes by hand.
For more water conservation ideas, please visit the McHenry County water resources website: www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/waterresources. For more information about the summit, please contact Dennis Sandquist, Director of Planning & Development at 815-334-4560.
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