Why you won't want to swim in Fox, Chain
Lake County health officials are warning people to not swim in the Chain O' Lakes and Fox River after high bacteria counts were found in one lake Friday.
Mike Adam, senior biologist with the county health department, said floodwaters have drenched septic fields and likely contaminated the water in Bluff Lake.
The lake, which connects Lake Marie to Spring Lake and then leads to Fox Lake, is the only Chain lake at this point to fail a bacteria test, Adam said.
Two E. coli tests were taken on Bluff Lake, with high concentrations of the harmful bacteria turning up on one of the tests, he said.
"In high flood events it's most likely because of septic systems that are on the lake or around the Chain," he said. "We are not sure if there are failing systems or not at this point, but we need to be on the cautious side and issue the advisory."
Bluff Lake is one of the smaller lakes on the Chain at 86 acres and about 30 feet deep.
Adam said he doesn't expect the problem to occur elsewhere on the Chain, but floodwaters do carry contaminants.
Water is tested for E. coli, which indicates the presence of fecal material, he said.
Swimmers may have increased risk of coming in contact with harmful bacteria or viruses if the water is ingested.
If a sample comes back "high," it means there is more E. coli in the water than recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards, and is unsafe to swim.
Health authorities say swimming in floodwaters also is dangerous because of swiftly moving currents.
"There are safety issues like water clarity and currents that cause concern," Adam said. "There are obstacles that are underwater floating. It's a serious safety issue."
The Chain hit a milestone of sorts Friday when, for the first time since June 11, water receded below the level where structures suffer flood damage.
Flood gauges on the Chain listed water at 6 inches above flood stage Friday evening, but could drop below that level today. Officials estimate it could drop below flood levels as early as Monday.
Gauges in New Munster, Wis. show the Fox River dipped below flood stage Friday evening, much earlier than predictions indicated. That would mean water levels in hard-hit Fox River Springs in Antioch Township could drop below flood levels as early as today, officials said.
Kent McKenzie, head of the Lake County Emergency Management Agency, said state and federal officials will meet with local government officials to discuss public assistance money.
They will review the amount of money local agencies, such as Antioch and Fox Lake, have spent to fight flooding, then decide if federal money is needed.
"That is ready to go Monday," he said. "We'll give them all our damage assessments, and hope for the best."
Lake County was declared a federal disaster area this week, opening the door for businesses and residents to obtain grants or low-interest loans for repairs and other flood-related expenses.