In protecting and restoring the Chicago-Calumet River system, safety is our highest priority for our participants, volunteers, and staff. There are several instances when we cannot host an outdoor event due to safety concerns. Generally, we make the decision to cancel an event two to three hours before the event is set to start to give everyone plenty of notice. We decide on the day of the event because weather can often change significantly in 24 hours in our region, and we do not want to cancel anything unnecessarily.

Events are rain or shine. Exceptions are when the following weather conditions or impacts occur:   

• We will delay or cancel an event should thunderstorms arise. We use LightningMaps.org to track any lightning strikes in the area. If at an event, Friends staff will stop activities and instruct everyone to seek shelter if we see lightning or hear thunder.  Activities may resume 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder occurred.
   
• Events are canceled if the temperature is forecasted to reach over 95 degrees, or with temperatures slightly below that plus high humidity, following the Heat Index Chart below from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Children-focused events will be canceled at 90 degrees, and 35% humidity.
   
• Events are canceled if the air quality is over 150 AQI, following the Air Quality Index tracker and guidelines from AirNow.gov. For air quality between 100-150 AQI, sensitive groups should take caution by wearing a mask, limiting time at the event, or not participating.  
   
• Canoe events are canceled within 48 hours of a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) upstream from the event. We track CSOs using the Metropolitan Reclamation Water District’s notification system.
   
• Canoe events are canceled if winds are predicted to be above 15-20mph, depending on location conditions.

When public events are canceled, Friends will post the cancelation on the event web page and on Instagram and will email registered participants, if applicable.

When privately contracted events are canceled, Friends will work with the group organizer to notify all registered participants.