TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has issued several public health advisories for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae.
Active Advisories
Warning
- Gathering Pond at Milford, Geary County
- Milford Lake Zones A and C, Geary County (Zone A upgraded 8/5)
- Harvey County East Lake, Harvey County
- South Lake, Johnson County (upgraded 8/5)
- Altamont City Lake “Idle Hour” Main Lake, Labette County
- Marion County Lake, Marion County
- Melvern Outlet Pond, Osage County
- Melvern Outlet Swim Pond, Osage County
- Webster Reservoir, Rooks County
- Jerry Ivey Pond, Saline County
- Hargis Lake, Sumner County
Watch
- Brown State Fishing Lake, Brown County
- Pony Creek Lake, Brown County
- Milford Lake Zone B, Geary County
- Altamont City Lake “Idle Hour” North Lake, Labette County
- Big Hill Lake, Labette County
- Parsons Lake, Labette County
- Marion Reservoir, Marion County
- Neosho County State Fishing Lake, Neosho County (new)
- Overbook City Lake, Osage County
- Buhler City Lake, Reno County (new)
- Lake Afton, Sedgwick County (new)
- Big Eleven Lake, Wyandotte County (downgraded 8/5)
Advisories Lifted 8/5/21
- Mission Lake Horton, Brown County
- Agra City Lake, Phillips County
When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:
- Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.
- Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.
- Water contact should be avoided.
- Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.
- Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.
- If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.
- Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.
A watch means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.
During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:
- Signage will be posted at all public access locations.
- Water may be unsafe for humans/animals.
- Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water.
- Swimming, wading, skiing and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms.
- Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.
- Clean fish well with potable water and eat fillet portion only.
KDHE investigates publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.
Signs of a possible bloom include if there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.
For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/