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The Lake County Health Department—Ecological Services responds to complaints of potential blue-green algae blooms. Not all blooms are harmful, but some species of algae, such as cyanobacteria or blue-green algae, can produce toxins that can cause illness to pets, wildlife, and humans. Samples collected are tested for the presence of microcystin, a toxin that can be present in blue-green algae blooms, or several other toxins.
It is recommended to not swim, minimize contact with lake water, and do not let pets play or drink from the water. Skin irritation or rash is the most commonly reported health effect of HAB exposure. Other symptoms range from diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, fainting, numbness, dizziness, and tingling. The most severe reactions occur when large amounts of water are swallowed. Fish caught in affected waters pose unknown health risks and may have an undesirable taste. If you choose to eat them, remove all fat, skin, and organs before cooking because toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. The best way to stay safe is to stay out of the affected water and keep children and pets away. Never use the affected water for drinking, cooking, or bathing. If you are in contact with affected water, wash off thoroughly with soap and a clean source of water.
If you think you have a HAB, you can call 847-377-8020 or HealthEHS@lakecountyil.gov.
Remember-- When in doubt, stay out!
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The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) is accepting request for
proposals for Watershed Management Board (WMB) funded projects for Fiscal Year 2025.
Proposal Submission Deadline: 2 p.m. on Friday, September 13, 2024, via the SMC INFLOW portal.
SMC staff will review all proposal submissions based on the project prioritization criteria and
will make recommendations to the WMB for their approval of projects at the November 20,
2024 WMB meeting. Project proposals recommended for funding by the WMB will be
forwarded to the December 2024 SMC meeting for final approval and funding appropriations.
New to the INFLOW system? SMC is hosting an INFLOW Instructional Webinar and Q&A on Tuesday, August 27, at 10 a.m. Register now
For more information, visit SMC's website.
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Calling all lake enthusiasts! The Lake County Health Department is hosting the first-ever Lake County Aquatic Invasive Species Snapshot Day on August 10th, 2024! This exciting community science event allows you to play a vital role in protecting our lakes. We will accept data throughout the month of August, so if August 10th does not work for you, still consider participating!
We encourage neighbors or lake associations to work together for this fun day of searching for AIS in your chosen Lake County lake. We'll provide the training and materials you need—simply gather your crew, take photos of any AIS you find, and fill out a data sheet to be returned to the Health Department. This information is crucial for understanding the current AIS landscape in our lakes.
Ready to be a Lake Hero? Register by emailing abartolai2@lakecountyil.gov with your name and the lake you'd like to monitor, and you'll receive the program details and datasheet.
Please reach out with any questions to abartolai2@lakecountyil.gov.
Our Team
Alana Bartolai, Ecological Services Program Coordinator
Gerard Urbanozo, Senior Water Quality Specialist
James Fitzgerald, Water Quality Specialist
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