New app to show swim bans for Lake Michigan beaches in Lake County

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Heading to the beach in Lake County this summer? A new mobile app will indicate whether it's safe to swim.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Lake County Health Department will post information online about Lake Michigan swim bans. The website will be updated by 10 a.m. each day.

Beachgoers can access these updates on their phones using a free app called "myBeachCast."

Users can see the latest on swim bans from the health department, as well as temperature, humidity, visibility and wind speed at the beach they're looking to visit. The app, created by the Great Lakes Commission, also has information for other beaches in the eight Great Lakes states.

Four days a week, Lake County Health Department staff members take samples from these 13 beaches along Lake Michigan:

North Point Marina Beach Winthrop Harbor

Illinois Beach State Park North Beach Zion

Illinois Beach State Park South Beach Zion

Illinois Beach State Park Resort Beach Zion

Waukegan North Beach Waukegan

Waukegan South Beach Waukegan

Lake Bluff Dog Beach Lake Bluff

Lake Bluff Sunrise Beach Lake Bluff

Forest Park Beach Lake Forest

Moraine Dog Beach Highland Park

Park Avenue Beach Highland Park

Central Avenue Beach Highland Park

Rosewood Beach Highland Park

Health department officials said when water samples show a high bacteria count, swimmers should stay out of the water until the water quality is better to avoid getting sick.