High bacteria levels close Wonder Lake beach
WOODSTOCK – Indian Ridge 2 North beach in Wonder Lake was closed Thursday because of high bacteria levels, according to the McHenry County Department of Health.
Dorothy Court beach in Island Lake has been placed on an advisory status.
The closure came after the health department conducted beach water samplings at 34 licensed beaches Wednesday.
Indian Ridge and Dorothy Court were retested Thursday, and the results will be available Friday.
To prevent illness associated with swimming, all licensed beaches on the 13 lakes in McHenry County are tested every two weeks for E. coli throughout the summer to determine water quality. Additional and more frequent sampling is done when elevated bacterial levels are found.
The health department recommends refraining from swimming at least two to three days after heavy rainfall.
Water sampling results are reported to the appropriate beach authorities. Beaches that require an advisory or closing are posted with signs by the health department. All beach locations and water results are available online at www.mcdh.info or by calling 815-334-4585.
– Northwest Herald
