Beach Advisory 

COVID-19 Update

The Illinois Department of Public Health released swimming facility guidelines on June 26, 2020. 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 contact 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

July 13, 2020 

red

Inland Beaches - Swim Ban (no swimming)


Cedar Lake - Lehman Park

yellow

Inland Beaches - Swim Advisory


 

Grays Lake - Jones Island


Inland Beaches - Currently Closed for the 2020 Season


Lake Minear Beach

Independence Grove Beach


Lake Michigan Beaches  Status
 Forest Park Beach  green
Illinois Beach State Park North Beach green
Illinois Beach State Park Resort Beach   green
Illinois Beach State Park South Beach 
                     
 green
Lake Bluff Dog Beach   green
Lake Bluff Sunrise Beach   green
Moraine Dog Beach - closed for repairs   red
North Point Marina Beach   green
Nunn Beach (Great Lakes), Friday - Sunday only
   red
Park Avenue Boating Facility
   green
Rosewood Beach
   green
Waukegan North Beach
  green
Waukegan South Beach
 green