More Kansas lakes added to KDHE blue-green algae advisory

Daniel Fair
·3 min read
More Kansas lakes added to KDHE blue-green algae advisory

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has added two more Kansas lakes to its weekly blue-green algae advisory.

The KDHE releases the advisory every Friday, and it is split into the levels: hazard, warning and watch.

So far this year, no Kansas lake has been added to the hazard advisory. There are three lakes in the warning advisory, and five are in the watch advisory.

One lake — Overbrook City Lake in Osage County — was lifted from the advisory.

Here are the Kansas lakes on the warning status:

  • Harvey County East Lake, Harvey County

  • Marion Lake (Reservoir), Marion County

  • Webster Lake, Rooks County

Here are the Kansas lakes on the watch status:

  • King Lake, Lyon County (Added June 21)

  • Lake Shawnee, Shawnee County

  • Lovewell Lake, Jewell County

  • Rooks Co. SFL, Rooks County (Added June 21)

  • Woodland Park Pond (Mount Hope), Sedgwick County

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A hazard status indicates that a harmful algal bloom is present and extreme conditions exist.

When a hazard is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

  • Signage should be posted at all public access locations.

  • It is recommended that either a portion of the lake or the entire lake or zone be closed to the public.

  • In some cases, the adjacent land should be closed as well. Actual setback distances will be determined on a site-specific basis, if necessary.

  • When partial closures (i.e., beach or cove) are issued, the remaining lake or zone area will carry a warning status.

A warning status indicates that conditions are unsafe for human and pet exposure.  Contact with the waterbody should be avoided.

When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

  • Signage should be posted at all public access locations.

  • Inhalation of spray or aerosols may be harmful.

  • 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 the skin, wash it with clean water as soon as possible.

  • Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.

A watch status 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 should 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 thoroughly with potable water and eat fillet portions only.

Advisories are lifted when cell densities and toxin concentrations dissipate to levels below the Watch thresholds.

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.

If you observe a scum or paint-like surface on the water, small floating blue-green clumps or filaments in the water, or if the water is an opaque 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.

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