>70% of Lake County’s 173 lakes are impaired per the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency 303(d) Impaired Lakes Report, much higher than the national average of 50% impaired! (Learn more about your lake at the US Environmental Protection Agency How’s My Waterway site.)
Lakes are orphans—here before infrastructure and rarely funded for restoration. Lake Lovers believes volunteer action is essential to restore and protect our lakes because government resources are inadequate, and sadly, there is no “Magic Lake Fairy” that will fix our lakes.
Join us to protect and restore our lakes!
Every July we celebrate Lake Appreciation Month with our Dinner & Lake Stories Event. Scroll down to learn more.
Make a Difference
Algae-Palooza: Dinner & Lake Stories
Come Celebrate Lake Appreciation Month!
Hear How Data is Making a Difference
Featuring Stories from the 21 Lakes in our 2026 Water Monitoring Program
Sunday, 19 July 2026
5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Parkway on the Lake
25212 Lake Shore Drive, Ingleside, IL
(North Side of Long Lake)
Tickets $45 for Buffet Dinner & Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Cash Bar Available
Come celebrate Lake Appreciation Month, network with other lake lovers and enjoy a buffet dinner & beverages (non-alcoholic beverages included and cash bar available). You will hear stories from some of the 21 lakes in our 2026 Monitoring Program: why they joined and how bi-weekly data is making a difference in how their lake is managed. Enjoy a beautiful sunset as we celebrate our lakes and those volunteering to make them better!
Join Lake Lovers and help protect, restore, and celebrate our lakes!
Our mission is to see the health of Lake County’s lakes improve.
We measure water health and create public trend lines that help communities understand lake conditions.
We invite collaboration between lake teams to share knowledge, lake challenges and treatment outcomes.
We educate and empower, to help people grow as community scientists.
We create events to celebrate and share lake restoration stories.
We invite donors to support this essential work through fund-raising and product donations. All gifts are tax-deductible.
Join to Receive Newsletters
Learn about upcoming events, the current health status and trends of the 21 lakes in the monitoring program, and volunteer opportunities.
