Chain O' Lakes Reopens For Boaters, Beaches Deemed Safe For Swimming

LAKE COUNTY, IL -- Since flooding in mid-July, the Chain O’Lakes has been closed to boating and recreational swimming was not advised. As waters receded, the Lake County Health Department tested the 15 licensed swimming beaches around the Chain for the presence of E. coli bacteria. All test results indicated that E. coli levels were below the unsafe range, health department officials reported Thursday morning.

In addition, on Wednesday morning, the Fox Waterway Agency reopened the Chain O' Lakes and upper portion of the river,from the McHenry dam to the entrance at Pistakee Lake, for recreational boating, according to a post on the Fox Waterway Agency Facebook page. The lower portion of the Fox River, from the Algonquin dam to the the McHenry dam, remains closed to boaters.

"There is a debris hazard in effect so exercise extreme caution while out there," according to the Fox Waterway Agency.

While conditions have improved at Chain O' Lakes beaches, the health department is still urging residents to be cautious about swimming in recently flooded lakes as floating or sunken debris may be hazardous.

In addition, the beach sampling is not necessarily representative of the entire lake system, health officials said. Other sources of pollution may still be present, such as failing septic systems. Residents can test their own lake water by picking up a bottle from the Health Department Lab at 500 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville. The cost for testing is $18 per sample.

If you have questions or suspect a possible pollution source, contact the health department at 847-377-8020.

The Lake County Health Department monitors over 100 swimming beaches in Lake County during the summer. Swim bans or advisories are posted daily on the health department’s website.

PHOTO CAPTION: A look at a flooding in neighborhoods north of Pistakee Lake and west of Ringwood Road following heavy rains in mid-July. PHOTO CREDIT: Amie Rowland