One of the season’s most-fun participant and spectator events — the 57th annual Mid-American Canoe and Kayak Race set for Sunday, June 3, on the Fox River — has been canceled due to dangerously high water levels.

Fox Valley Park District organizers made the announcement on the FVPD website.

“For the safety of all participants and volunteers, the Fox Valley Park District has cancelled the 2018 Mid-Am Canoe and Kayak Race,” the website says. “Historically fast water flow rates on the Fox River were most recently measured in excess of 5,000 cubic feet per second. Acceptable safe race conditions call for measurements of 2,100 cubic feet per second or less.”

The Fox Valley Park District monitors water levels annually to ensure safety, and has cancelled only one other time in the last 15 years due to similar conditions.

“Despite possible drops in levels by Sunday, we can’t assume a safe range will be reached,” officials said.

A full refund will be issued to all participants. For more information, the FVPD asks participants to call 630-859-8606.

The historic event typically features two lengths for paddlers to choose from – a 10-mile run starting in St. Charles and a 6-miler from Batavia – with both races finishing at McCullough Park in Aurora.

The National Weather Service Chicago said about 1.72 inches of rain fell Wednesday (May 30, 2018) in Kane County. The Fox River at Montgomery is under a Flood Warning, with water levels expected to reach 13.05 feet. The flood stage is 13.0 feet at that part of the river.

SOURCE: Fox Valley Park District website