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PAGE II -Pl.AIMlFALFP WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15,1982 Near Flood Level Water (Continued from pag* 1) downstream for everyone's benefit come spring," Novak said. "We'll keep the water level of the Fox just below the danger level for the time being." He said they were hoping for some moderate weather to give the ground a chance to dry out. "We won't have much of a problem .getting the water level down, but probably not before it freezes," Novak said. The lockmaster noted that the level could be cropped even further during the winter; however, the department tries to avoid this as there are serious "complications, particularly fish kills. 'The benefit is usually not enough to warrant dropping the level any farther," Novak explained. Novak said he has received a lot of telephone calls suggesting that he was keeping the water level up in order to benefit the duck hunters. "I'd like to point out that duck hunting season was over and done with before these rains ever came," Novak said. "We were in the process of drawing down the water level. We do take the duck hunters into con­ sideration when we decide when to draw down the lake, but they are one of the last things we take into con­ sideration." "The duck hunters should be happy, but we didn't want to flood the people downstream," Novak said. Novak pointed out that he must take into consideration the amount of water going out at the Algonquin dam also. If he doesn't, the people along the river between the McHenry and Algonquin dams could well have a wet winter. S He said that the level north of the McHenry dam was about 1.0 feet to 2.5 feet above normal. Between the two dams was about 4.5 feet above the "lowest we would ever go" and about 3.0 feet above the "acceptable" level. Late Monday (Dec. 6) afternoon, the two largest tributaries -- the Fox river and Nippersink creek -- were adding about 4,200 cubic feet of water per second. Put in perspective, average flow is about 50 to 60 cubic feet per second and maximum flood flow is about 7,000 cubic feet per second. "The flow is considerably less than maximum flood, but still way above normal levels," Novak said. "From Thursday on we were playing a game of catch up, but we lost." The lockmaster said the decisions when and how much to lower the .water levels are currently based largely on educated guesswork. "The technology now exists which will take the guesswork out," Novak said, referring to a computer model of the entire flood basin. Other technological advances also help to make the guesswork a little more precise. Novak commented that about nine years ago, telephone gauges were installed to monitor the water level of the river and the chainT "Otherwise, we pretty much had to have someone-ai^Wilmot in a truck with a pocket full of dimes to call in every hour," Novak said. "The odds are now that we'll get snow...and that won't hurt." Lockmaster at the McHenry dam, Frank Novak, charts O'Lakes. Novak predicted the high waters of the Fox and information received from telephone water level gauges the Chain to remain for at least a few more weeks, at various places along the Fox river and the Chain Gelling to work wasn't easy last Friday after high waters made Bald Knob road difficult to pass, unless you had a pickup truck, a boat or waders. The high waters of Pistakee lake along Bay road, near Manitou trail, also could cause problems for homeowaers with Ihore structures such as piers and docks. The high water can cause problems by leaving a heavy load of ice au>p decks and piers. Damage can also be caused by the expansion that ^ 's^UFF ̂ TOTOS--WAYNE GAYLORD AND ANTHONY OLIVER A MERRIER MEOW Tabby Cat is going to have a merrier Christmas this year. The folks at Tabby's house are going t©: 1. Keep the electrical wire concealed and off the floor so Tabby won't chew on them. 2. Put the poisonous plants of poinsettias and mistletoe out of reach. 3. Place the candy high on a shelf. 4. Replace the cheap ornaments that were broken by the young cats last year with unbreakable ones. Yes, sir, Tabby is just as curious as ever over all the Christmas splendor, but he'll have a merrier meow with the folk's consideration this Christmas! JOHNSBURG election Unlimited Fur...the superb gift... every masterpiece is designed and fashioned from the finest pelts. Each creation is meticulously examined to insure the impeccable quality that has become our tradition. We have all kinds and colors of furs, especially mink of all colors. RAISED ON OUR OWN MINK FARM! Diane Berlin dress/the group and explain in detail thos^ areas of activity in which the committee will need to become in­ volved to promote an approval of the ballot proposal. The library has already issued over 900 gards to residents. Lets see how many of those want to keep that card. Please come and help keep the library. CUB SCOUT PACK 454 The December Pack meeting'will be held tonight, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. in the Johnsburg Junior high multi-purpose room. This will be a Christmas party, including a visit from Santa Claus and a tree trimming. Each scout is asked to bring a non-perishable item which will be donated to FISH for a needy family in the area. We'll be supporting two families this year. Please be prompt, as it will be a very full • evening. EXPLORERS The Sea Explorers will have a Christmas party at the home of Kathy and Les Klotz on Thursday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. Please bring a treat to share. HAPPY HOLIDAYS This will be the last column before the Christmas holiday so I would like to wish all my friends and neighbors of Johnsburg a very joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year. \ * DISTRICT LIBRARY There will be a meeting held (jj Thursday, Dec. 16, to organize a Referendum committee to work for ^ approval of the Johnsburg Public Library District on next April's ballot. ' The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Johnsburg high school library. ; Everyone interested in taking an active part in promoting and working •]' to keep the public library is urged to attend. Ms. Beth Mueller, Special " Consultant for this project, will ad­ Color Mates To dramatize the pattern of your china, pick up an ac­ cent color in the tablecloth. KNOCK DO IT YOURSELF AND SAVE SSS • ROCKING HQRSE • BEDROOM FURNITURE " • DESKS • KITCHEN TABLES •CHAIRS • ROCKERS • DINING ROOM TABLES • CHILDREN'S FURNITURE • DIVIDERS t SHELVING • MANY SMALL GIFT ITEMS The McHenry Ploindealer 3812 W. Elm Street McHenry, II. 60050 i- JVOOD awe d'twA <mcl FURS By BILL TALIDIS at the Mink Barn 3 YEARS - $40.00 2 YEARS • $28.50 1 YEAR-S16.50 6 MONTHS - $8.50 PAYMENT ENCLOSED W e Raise Our Own Mink COMPLETE FUR SERVICE •CLEANING •STORAGE •REPAIRS •RESTYLING Name FRANKLINVILLE R O A D . UNION, ILLINOIS 7 miles southwest o f Woodstock on 176 & Fra nk I inv i I le Rd (815)923-4193 or 923-2161 Tues. thru Pat 9 to 5 :30: Sun. 12 to •> r jsed Mon. Address Prices good in McHenry County