ROCK FALLS, Ill. — UPDATE: Crews were able to restore power to the Sinnissippi Dam Control Building after a disconnect switch in the transformer that supplies power to the building failed Monday morning. The back-up generator ran for almost three hours before overheating and stopping operation, allowing the gates to unintentionally open.
After dropping a foot and a half, water levels are back to normal Tuesday on the Rock River.
ORIGINAL: The City of Rock Falls is warning residents that a mechanical failure is causing issues with river levels on the Rock River.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Sept. 11, the city reported that there had been a mechanical failure at the upper dam in town on the Rock River. The dam is owned and maintained by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
The failure caused the gates to lower, resulting in the upper pool water level dropping "extremely low."
The Illinois DNR is investigating the issue and plans to do repairs.
News 8 will update this news story as more information is made available. Download our app and subscribe to our YouTube channel for updates.
