Several Lake County Beaches Closed Due To High Levels Of Fecal Bacteria

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Several Lake County beaches are closed or under advisory after public officials found elevated levels of fecal bacteria in the water, according to the county health department.

For residents planning a beach trip, the latest advisory or closure status may affect whether swimming is recommended. The affected beaches are all along Lake Michigan, with a few inland beaches included.

The only coastal Lake Michigan beaches in Lake County that are not under advisory are Highland Park Moraine Dog Beach, Lake Bluff Dog Beach and South Beach at Illinois Beach State Park in Zion.

Beaches in Lake County with elevated bacteria levels and caution swimming advisories are:

• Highwood subdivision at Petite Lake in Antioch
• Resort Beach at Illinois Beach State Park in Zion

Beaches closed because of high bacteria levels are:

• Stanton Bay Park at Fox Lake in Lake Villa
• Grass Lake Marina in Antioch
• Highland Park Avenue Boating Beach
• Rosewood Beach in Highland Park
• North Beach at Illinois Beach State Park in Zion
• Sunrise Beach in Lake Bluff
• Forest Park Beach in Lake Forest
• Foss Park Beach in North Chicago
• North Point Marina Beach in Winthrop Harbor
• Park Avenue North Beach in Highland Park
• North Beach in Waukegan
• South Beach in Waukegan

The health department said collected water samples are tested for E. coli bacteria. The agency said E. coli bacteria is found in the intestines of almost all warm-blooded animals, and while not all strains are the same, certain strains can make humans sick if ingested in high enough concentrations.

If water samples come back high for E. coli, defined by the health department as 235 E. coli/100 ml, the management body for the bathing beach is notified and a sign is posted indicating the beach closure. The health department also said rain events tend to lead to elevated bacteria levels in the water column and advised people to avoid swimming after a large rain event.

Depending on the level of bacteria, swimmers are encouraged to exercise caution in the water or avoid swimming altogether, according to the health department.

The Lake County Health Department monitors beaches from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Water quality samples are collected four days per week from Lake Michigan beaches and two times per month from beaches on inland lakes.

The health department's notice points to testing and rain-related conditions as key factors in beach water quality during the summer monitoring season.

"Since rain events tend to lead to elevated bacteria levels in the water column, we advise that people avoid swimming after a large rain event," the health department said.

In addition to bacteria advisories, the National Weather Service issued a high swim risk advisory for Lake Michigan Beaches. Large waves and strong currents will make swimming conditions hazardous, forecasters said.