The Village of Third Lake is having ongoing testing for an algae bloom that has appeared on Third Lake in late summer.  The conditions are constantly changing and test results take days to get back.  On September 22^nd, the results of the test were 900 parts per billion (ppb) of the toxin.  The results of the  test on September 28^th were 5.16 ppb.  This week’s test (October 5th) results were at 31.8 ppb of the toxin.  This is still above the limit of 8 ppb that IEPA recommends as safe. 

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) warns that it is impossible to tell from a visual inspection whether an algal bloom is toxic, therefore you should avoid the water where the bloom is located.  The toxins in an algae bloom can cause a variety of symptoms by affecting the skin, liver, GI tract, and nervous system. Ingestion, inhalation, or direct contact with contaminated water may cause illness.

The IDPH warns that children and pets stay out of the water. Do not allow pets to drink from the water and do not allow them to lick their fur after swimming in water containing a blue-green algae bloom. If you or your pet has contact with water you suspect may have a blue-green algae bloom, rinse off with clean, fresh water as soon as possible.

We have added Druce Lake to our testing sites but have not received any data yet.  The Village of Third Lake will continue monitoring the algae bloom situation and keep residents posted on the results. 

The Lake County Forest Preserve will begin controlled burns in the next few weeks. Controlled burns are the most efficient, economical tool to manage Lake County’s natural communities. If you have special health concerns or questions, please contact 847-968-3427 or visit the Lake County Forest Preserved website. An interactive map of controlled burn locations is also available on the website.

The Lake County Health Dept resampled Third Lake Monday (9/28). The preliminary results from IEPA came back at 5.16 ug/L which is below the USEPA human health recreational threshold of 8 ug/L.  This is good news that it has dropped below the recreational threshold! It’s safe to go back in the water again!

Fall is here and Halloween is just around the corner. The Village of Third Lake will celebrate Halloween on October 31st from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Due to COVID the Village is asking residents to take extra precautions. Please review the suggested guidelines.

If you do not wish to participate in door-to-door trick-or-treating, please turn off your outside lights and print this flyer for your door or stop by the Village Hall for a printed copy.

The Village of Third Lake will hold a Committee Meeting on October 5, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

Click here to see the agenda.

The meeting will take place at the Village Hall, 87 N Lake Ave.

Please wear a facemask and maintain social distancing.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency just contacted the Village of Third Lake to warn of dangerously high levels of algae blooms in Third Lake. The samples were taken on 9/22/2020. Please do not swim or allow pets in the water at this time. Read the following release from the Illinois Department of Heath for more information.

Click here to register

Lake County is holding its third live Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. Hosted by Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart, panelists will discuss the most current information about how COVID-19 is impacting Lake County, relief efforts including programs that have provided funding to Lake County businesses and residents who have been financially impacted, and information about voting in the November General Election.

Several vehicles in the area have been targeted. Please don’t keep valuables in your vehicle and lock your car doors.

There will not be a Lakes Committee Meeting on August 31st. Have a wonderful weekend on the water!

Let us know how you are enjoying the lakes. Whether you are swimming, fishing, boating, skiing or just floating, we would love to put your pics on our website. Email to thirdlake@comcast.net.