From the Rock River Sweep:

OREGON (WIFR) -- Mother Nature has dealt us a blow with the recent heavy rains. This has caused severe flooding of the Rock River Valley from Horicon, Wis. to Rock Island, Ill. As a result, the Great Rock River Sweep scheduled for this Saturday, July 31, has been postponed.

Rock River Sweep Founder and Coordinator Frank Masterman says he received a message from Captain Morelock of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources that the Rock River is closed to boating in all counties in Illinois until further notice.

Sunday morning the Rock River crested in Byron at about 16.4' and is presently receding. Flood stage is 13 feet. The National Weather Service predicts the Rock River to be at approximately 11.5' at Byron by 8:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. That is still approximately 1' above the action stage. With the possibility of more rain this week, a decision had to be made.

After careful consideration of water conditions and the safety of the volunteers, the following sections have determined to postpone the Rock River Sweep in their community or area: Hustisford, Wis.; Rockton, Ill.; Rockford, Ill. – South; Byron, Ill.; Oregon, Ill.; Grand Detour, Ill.; Sterling, Ill.; and Rock Falls, Ill.

Rescheduled dates will be determined individually by section and have not yet been selected. Please monitor the website at www.rockriversweep.org and the Facebook page at RockRiverSweep.org.

“Do not forget, we have not failed," says Masterman. "We have only encountered an obstacle. How we handle this obstacle is up to us. I say that we accept life as it comes to us, adjust where necessary, celebrate the day for what it may bring, and alter our plans accordingly. There is not one piece of trash or litter out there worth risking life or limb for."

Forward Oregon, the group organizing the Oregon Area portion of the Rock River Sweep has rescheduled their cleanup day on Saturday, August 21, from 8 a.m. to noon, at Lions Park, by the dam, behind Conover Square in Oregon.

Forward Oregon section coordinator Mark Nehrkorn says, “The flood waters have carried and deposited a large amount of trash along the banks of the river. Once the water recedes, we're sure a larger cleanup effort will be needed to help the community and clean up the river. We appreciate all the interest we’ve had in the Sweep and hope to see everyone on August 21.”

Volunteer groups, youth groups, Scouts, boaters, environmentalists and students seeking volunteer hours are encouraged to help. For more information or to register for the Oregon Area Rock River Sweep, email Mark Nehrkorn at manehrkorn@comcast.net or Angela Mahoney at themahoneys92@hotmail.com.