Beach Advisory - End of Season 

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. 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.
Swimcast Monitor

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 SEASON


    redInland Beaches - Swim Ban (no swimming)
                                                                                                                              
                                                        
      yellow 

Inland Beaches - Swim Advisory 
                                            
                                
                                   

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  
      
North Point Marina Beach         
Nunn Beach (Great Lakes), Friday - Sunday only
  
   
   
Park Avenue Beach
  
    
Rosewood Beach
 
  
Waukegan North Beach
  
Waukegan South Beach