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LakeQuality
D
Cook County, Illinois

Jackson Park Inner Harbor Lake

Grade DPoor · 5 ft clarity

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Limited DataEutrophic

Jackson Park Inner Harbor Lake is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Cook County, Illinois. Water quality is graded D based on 1 sampling years through 2023. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 67 other monitored lakes in Cook County, Jackson Park Inner Harbor Lake ranks #29 for water quality.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Illinois DNR, last sampled 2023-05-04. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.

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Swimming Safety

Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk

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Water Quality Grade: D, Poor

Murky, only visible to about 5 ft. Trophic State Index: 54.

MetricValueGrade
Water Clarity (Secchi Depth)5 ftD
PhosphorusNo data
Chlorophyll-a (Algae)No data
Trophic State Index (TSI)54Eutrophic

High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity

Where to stay near Jackson Park Inner Harbor Lake

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Fishing Jackson Park Inner Harbor Lake

Recreation & Access

1
Boat Landings
Yes
Public Access

Location

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County Ranking

Ranked #29 of 68 lakes in Cook County

Nearby Lakes in Cook County

More records, surveys & data sources

EPA Impairment Status

Jackson Park Inner Harbor Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).

Causes of impairment

MercuryPCBs

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit IL_QZM · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (0.16 km)

Lake Size & Watershed

Watershed (drainage) area
67,956 sq mi
Surface area
14,264,591 acres
Mean depth (est.)
276.2 ft
Shoreline
1778.8 mi
Elevation
574 ft

Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.

Data Sources

Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal

Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database

Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)

Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards

Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory

Most recent sample: 2023-05-04

Monitoring stations: 1

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