WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment added one Kansas lake and elevated another to warning status in its latest blue-green algae advisory on Friday.
The advisory — released every Friday — includes 12 Kansas lakes. Six are listed under the warning advisory, while the other six are listed under the watch advisory.
The KDHE breaks the advisory into three different sections: hazard, warning and watch. So far in 2024, no Kansas lake has been under the hazard section.
Augusta City Lake in Butler County was lifted from the advisory.
Here are the Kansas lakes currently on the warning list:
- Atchison City Lake #8, Atchison County
- Harvey County East Lake, Harvey County
- King Lake, Lyon County (Elevated Sept. 27)
- Lake Afton, Sedgwick County
- Melvern Outlet River Pond, Osage County
- Melvern Outlet Swim Pond, Osage County
Here are the Kansas lakes currently on the watch list:
- Amesbury Lake, Johnson County
- Atchison State Fishing Lake, Atchison County
- Eagle Lake (Bel Aire), Sedgwick County
- Lake Shawnee, Shawnee County
- Pratt County Lake, Pratt County
- Rose’s Pond (Lenexa), Johnson County (Added Sept. 27)
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 a portion of the lake or the entire lake or zone be closed to the public.
- In some cases, the adjacent land should also be closed. If necessary, actual setback distances will be determined on a site-specific basis.
- 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 portions only.
Advisories are lifted when cell densities and toxin concentrations dissipate to levels below the Watch thresholds.
When KDHE receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes, it investigates publicly accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae. 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.
