Beach Advisory - (check back in May 2020) 

Beaches Monitored from Memorial Day through Labor Day



*COVID-19 Update*: Lake County Health Department is waiting on information from the Governor and State of Illinois regarding swimming at beaches and guidelines due to COVID-19. 

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.
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 the Season

red

Inland Beaches - Swim Ban (no swimming)



None

yellow

Inland Beaches - Swim Advisory


 

None


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