The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Department of Wildlife and Parks issued and updated list of bodies of water impacted by a blue-green algae bloom.
When a watch is in place, the following actions are recommended:
- 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.
The following locations are impacted by a 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)
When a bloom is big enough it can present a larger risk to the health of people and animals. In more serious situation a warning is issued, and the following actions are recommended:
- 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.
The following locations are under a 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
Blue-green algae produces multiple toxins that are harmful to people and animals. Symptoms of contact with a harmful algae bloom include vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes, eye irritation, and respiratory symptoms.
For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm.
