Five McHenry County Beaches On Advisory Status

Following the recent heavy rains, McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) resampled the 38 licensed beaches on Monday, July 20. Five beaches continue to be on an ADVISORY status while nine beaches are CLOSED due to elevated bacteria levels. Beaches will be resampled Tuesday, July 21.  They include –

ADVISORY

·         Indian Ridge, 2 North, 4519-4603 NE Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake

·         Lake Park Beach, 300 Lake Shore Drive, Crystal Lake

·         LeVilla Vaupell 1, 1115 W Northeast Shore Drive, McHenry

·         Veterans Park, 332 W State Road, Island Lake

·         Wooded Shores, 3221 E Lake Shore Dive, Wonder Lake

CLOSED

·         Deep Spring Woods 2, 3925-3927 E Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake

·         Highland Shores, 3500 W Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake

·         Indian Ridge 1 South, 4601 NE Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake

·         Indian Trails, Lake in the Hills

·         Lookout Point, 5206 E Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake

·         Shore Hills Beach, 3450 E Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake

·         Sunrise Ridge,3800 W Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake

·         Wonder Center, 4100 E Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake

·         Wonder Woods 4, 5200 Wonder Woods Drive, Wonder Lake

Residents should visit the MCDH webpage (www.mcdh.info) for the latest information on all beaches or call 815-334-4585.  To prevent illness associated with swimming, all licensed beaches on the 12 lakes in McHenry County are tested every 2 weeks for E. coli throughout the summer to determine water quality.  Water sampling results are reported to the appropriate beach authorities. MCDH will post an advisory or closed signage for beaches with elevated E. coli results. 

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Heavy Rains Affect Use Of Beaches

Due to elevated bacteria levels from recent heavy rains, McHenry County Department of Health reports several beaches are either closed or placed on advisory. 

 Closed beaches include:

• Wooded Shores, 3221 E Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake
• Shore Hills Beach, 3450 E Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake
• Deep Spring Woods 1, 3701 E Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake
• Deep Spring Woods 2, 3925-3927 E Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake
• Wonder Center, 4100 E Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake
• Indian Ridge 1 South, 4601 NE Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake
• Indian Ridge 2 North, 4519-4603 NW Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake
• Wonder Woods 1, 5622 Woodlane, Wonder Lake
• Wonder Woods 2, 5606 Woodlane, Wonder Lake
• Wonder Woods 45200 Wonder Woods Drive, Wonder Lake
• Sunrise Ridge, 3800 W Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake
• Highland Shores, 3500 W Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake
• Lookout Point, 5206 E Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake
• Hilltop Beach Woods Creek Lake, Lake in the Hills
• Indian Trails Beach, Woods Creek Lake, Lake in the Hills
• WillOaks Campground Beach, 14304 Kishwaukee Valley Road, Woodstock

 Beaches on advisory are:

• Veterans Park, 332 W State Road, Island Lake
• Lake Park Beach, 300 Lake Shore Drive, Crystal Lake
• LeVilla Vaupell 1, 1115 N Northeast Shore Drive, Griswold Lake

Beaches will be re-sampled with results posted on the MCDH webpage.  Residents are encouraged to check with beach operators and the MCDH webpage for the latest information. The potential for high bacteria (E coli) counts increases with periods of high precipitation.  (MCDH) recommends refraining from swimming at least 2-3 days after a heavy rainfall event due to the potential increase risk of swimming associated illness (gastrointestinal illness and ear nose and throat infections). 

For more information, contact MCDH’s Environmental Health Division at 815-334-4585.