Great Lakes Quarries East is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Cook County, Illinois. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2022. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available. Compared to the 67 other monitored lakes in Cook County, Great Lakes Quarries East ranks #18 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Illinois DNR, last sampled 2022-09-09. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Great Lakes Quarries East water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk
Water Quality Grade: D, Poor
Murky, only visible to about 4.5 ft. Trophic State Index: 55.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.5 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 55 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Great Lakes Quarries East
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Great Lakes Quarries East in Cook County, Illinois — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Great Lakes Quarries East
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Great Lakes Quarries East?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Great Lakes Quarries East — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Illinois’s top lakes →
Fishing Great Lakes Quarries East
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #18 of 68 lakes in Cook County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Great Lakes Quarries East holds Grade D. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
Nearby Lakes in Cook County
Explore Great Lakes Quarries East across LakeGrade
More Illinois Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Illinois
Eutrophic Lakes in Illinois
More records, surveys & data sources
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
2 EPA-permitted facilities operate within about 5 miles of Great Lakes Quarries East under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits, including 1 classified by the EPA as major discharger. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Argonne National LaboratoryArgonne · 1.6 mi away · NPDES IL0034592MajorRecent violation
- Nicor GasLemont · 1 mi away · NPDES IL0079928
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Most recent sample: 2022-09-09
Monitoring stations: 1