10 Kansas lakes on KDHE blue-green algae advisory

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Two Kansas lakes were added to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s blue-green algae advisory on Friday.

There were two lakes that were lifted as well in the advisory, meaning the total number of lakes on the advisory stayed at 10 on Friday.

The KDHE updates its advisory each week, typically on Fridays. The advisory is split into three levels: hazard , warning and watch .

So far this summer, no lakes in Kansas have been at the hazard level. The newest advisory has six lakes under the warning category and four under the watch category.

Cedar Bluff in Trego County and Marion Lake (Reservoir) in Marion County were lifted from the advisory.

Here are the Kansas lakes in the warning advisory:

• Gathering Pond, Geary County
• Harvey County East Lake, Harvey County
• King Lake, Lyon County
• Lake Afton, Sedgwick County
• Melvern Outlet River Pond, Osage County
• Melvern Outlet Swim Pond, Osage County (Added July 19)

Here are the Kansas lakes in the watch advisory:

• Atchison City Lake #9, Atchison County
• Eagle Lake (Bel Aire), Sedgwick County
• Louisburg City Lake, Miami County (Added July 19)
• Rooks Co. SFL, Rooks County

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 skin, wash 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.

When a watch is issued, 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 portion 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.

For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit kdhe.ks.gov/HAB and check out our interactive story and informative video .

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