Though the cool breeze may tell you otherwise, the 2009 Chicago beach season has already begun and runs Friday, May 22 to Monday, September 7. Swimming is permitted and lifeguards are on duty at all beaches from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Beaches close at 8:30 p.m.
Parents can check the Chicago Park District's website for daily swimming conditions. Color flags posted at city beaches alert visitors and swimmers to the lake's daily weather and bacteria monitoring conditions via the park district's swimming ban notification system.
The Swimming Ban Notification System colors are as follows:
Green - Swimming is permitted. Water is calm and quality is safe based on current monitoring for E.coli bacteria.
Yellow - Advisory is in effect. Caution is advised. Water and weather conditions becoming unpredictable. Restrictions may be implemented. Increased risk of illness may be present based on current monitoring for E.coli bacteria.
Red - Swim ban is in effect due to severe weather and/or water conditions, which may be hazardous. Serious risk of illness may be present based on current monitoring for E.coli bacteria.
Regardless of flag color, Chicago beaches are always open. Flag colors represent conditions for swimming only.
-photo credit: Mister Crowley, flickr
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