Village of Wauconda - Bangs Lake Management 101 N. Main Street, Wauconda, IL 60084 847-526-9600
Related Documents ILM Sonar Treatment Process Informational Page
Weed Management Letter to Residents
Weed Management FAQs
ILM Bangs Lake Management Plan 2024 - 2028
Bangs Lake Herbicide Informational Summary PPT
ILM Bangs Lake Management Plan 2015
ILM Treatment Process & About Sonar
Bangs Lake Fish Survey 2021
Bangs Lake Fish Survey 2018
Bangs Lake Fish Survey 2015

Bangs Lake Management

Bangs Lake is a natural glacial lake located in northeastern Illinois’ Lake County and is considered a popular destination for family recreation in the Chicagoland area.  The lake is managed by the Village of Wauconda, in cooperation with the Lake County Health Department and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  Although the majority of property around the lake is privately owned, the Wauconda Park District maintains the community’s public beach, Phil's Beach, and its facilities.

***UPDATE 4/15/2024***
Integrated Lakes Management completed follow-up testing on April 11th, 2024 and the initial targeted dose for Sonar was achieved.  Lake irrigation is still restricted until further notice.  There are no other restrictions on water use in the lake.

***UPDATE 4/6/2024***
ILM’s initial treatment for herbicidal control on Bangs Lake scheduled for April 8th, 2024.  The initial treatment is expected to be completed in one day.  Irrigation using lake water should be restricted until further notice.  There are no other restrictions regarding lake use.  ILM will be completing follow up testing after the initial treatment to ensure proper concentrations are being maintained.  Updates on these visits will be posted before they occur. 

***UPDATE 3/25/2024***
ILM's initial treatment for herbicidal control on Bangs Lake scheduled for March 25th has been postponed due to weather.  Rain and wind gusts make hazardous and unfavorable conditions for treatment to occur.  Conditions will be monitored, and once favorable, a new date will be posted.  Once resumed, the initial treatment is expected to be completed in one day.  Irrigation using lake water should be restricted until further notice.  There are no other restrictions regarding lake use.  ILM will be completing follow up testing after the initial treatment to ensure proper concentrations are being maintained.  Updates on these visits will be posted before they occur. 

*** UPDATE 3/12/2024 ***
The Village is contracting with ILM for the application of SONAR, a low-dose whole lake herbicide that targets the aggressive non-native Eurasian Milfoil and Curlyleaf Pondweed.  On March 25, ILM will apply the initial dose. The Village hosted an informational session on the herbicide application in February.  A video of the session is available at the bottom of this webpage.  Please refer to the FAQ document for additional information.

ResponsibilitiesThe Village monitors the water level in the lake and works alongside the Wauconda Ad Hoc Bangs Lake Review Study Subcommittee to oversee invasive weed control efforts.  The Lake County Health Department Lakes Management Unit issues bathing beach licenses, conducts inspections, and collects water samples at the licensed beaches twice per month from May through September.  During the boating season, the Wauconda Police Department patrols the lake.  Boating inspections are available either by appointment or on the lake itself.  For more information on inspections and associated fees, please visit our Marine Patrol Unit page.

For beach closures, please visit the Lake County Health Department Beach Monitoring and Advisories page. 

IL-Bangs-Lake-PROOF

Lake Facts:

  • Surface Area:  306.1 acres
  • Maximum Depth:  32 feet
  • Average Depth:  10.9 feet
  • Lake Volume:  3,323.6 acre-feet
  • Shoreline Length:  6.3 miles
  • Watershed:  Fox River
  • Watershed Area:  2,858.7 acres draining to the lake
  • Sub-Watershed:  Slocum Lake Drain
  • Receiving Waterbody:  Slocum Lake
  • Lake Elevation:  766.2 feet above sea level
  • Average Water Residence Time:  1.27 years (462 days)
In 2005, Bangs Lake was 1 of the 7 sentinel lakes in the county that the Lakes Management Unit selected to monitor annually for 5 years.  Each year, the lake was monitored for water quality and plant diversity/distribution.  The conditions of the shoreline and fish/wildlife populations were also noted, although these were not the primary focus of the study.  A report on the condition of the lake was prepared each year.  The final year of the sentinel lake monitoring was 2009.  A comprehensive 5-year report is expected in 2010.  Reports are available on the Lake County Health Department Lake Reports page.

Wauconda Ad hoc bangs lake review study subcommitteeThe Village of Wauconda established a subcommittee of the Natural Resources Committee to review recommendations of the 2023 Bangs Lake Study completed by Integrated Lakes Management (ILM).  The Subcommittee meets as-needed to review and make recommendations to the Natural Resources Committee.  The Ad Hoc Subcommittee consists of nine members comprising of various Village employees, Board Trustee, and stakeholders.

February 22, 2024 Information Session