Beach Advisory: End of Season (check back May 2021) 

COVID-19 Update

The Illinois Department of Public Health updated its swimming facility guidelines on January 26, 2021. Under these guidelines, beaches can open in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan. Lake County Health Department has resumed beach monitoring. For additional beach questions please call (847) 377-8009.

Beaches Monitored from Memorial Day through Labor Day



From May to September, the Health Department's Lakes Management Unit samples Lake Michigan beaches 4 days a week. Beaches on inland lakes are tested biweekly (2 times per month). The water samples are tested for E coli bacteria, which are found in the intestines of almost all warm-blooded animals. While not all strains of E coli are the same, certain strains can make humans sick if ingested in high enough concentrations.

View the revised 2020 Beach Monitoring schedule
IBSP North3 (1)

Closures


If water samples come back high for E coli (235 E coli/100 ml), the management body for the bathing beach is notified and a sign is posted indicating the beach closure. Additionally, since rain events tend to lead to elevated bacteria levels in the water column, the LMU advises that persons avoid swimming after a large rain event.

Note: Per the Illinois Swimming Code, there is no swimming at dog beaches.
 
Current and Historic Beach Data:  http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/ilbeaches/public/

Beach Safety:  Check for the most recent beach hazards, including high waves: https://www.weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards
Bacteria Levels 
 Flag  Status
 green Low Bacteria Levels, No Advisory
 yellow Elevated Bacteria Levels, Caution Swimming Advisory
 red High Bacteria Levels. No Swimming is Advised

End of 2020 Beach Season (check back May 2021) 

red

Inland Beaches - Swim Ban (no swimming)


None

yellow

Inland Beaches - Swim Advisory


 

None






Lake Michigan Beaches  Status
 Forest Park Beach   green
Illinois Beach State Park North Beach 
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)		   green
Illinois Beach State Park Resort Beach
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)

   green
Illinois Beach State Park South Beach 
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
                     
   green
Lake Bluff Dog Beach   green
Lake Bluff Sunrise Beach   green
Moraine Dog Beach - closed for repairs   red
North Point Marina Beach
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)

   green
Nunn Beach (Great Lakes), Friday - Sunday only
    green
Park Avenue Boating Facility
   green
Rosewood Beach
   green
Waukegan North Beach
  green
Waukegan South Beach
  green