Crystal Lake, other beaches closed
By NORTHWEST HERALD
Multiple beaches across the county were closed Tuesday because of high bacteria levels.
According to the McHenry County Department of Health, the following beaches are closed until further notice:
• West Park Beach, Crystal Lake
• Lake Park Beach (Main Beach), Crystal Lake
• Morrison Park Beach, Lily Lake
• East Beach Park, McCullom Lake
• Wonder Center, Wonder Lake
Also under advisory warnings are: Wooded Shores, Wonder Lake; Shore Hills, Wonder Lake; Deep Spring Woods 1, Wonder Lake; Indian Ridge 1 South, Wonder Lake; Sunrise Ridge, Wonder Lake.
McHenry County has 34 beaches on its 13 lakes. During the summer, each beach is sampled every two weeks by health department staff for E coli.
E coli levels that exceed 235 colony forming units per 100 milliliters in both a shallow and a deep-water sample collected on the same day will require beach closings, according to the health department. A beach will remain closed until two samples collected on the same day are below the standard level.
Natural die-off, wind and wave action, and ultraviolet sunlight helps reduce the level of bacteria – usually within 24 hours. However, it also takes 24 hours after receipt of the samples to determine bacteria levels.
