WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — There are a total of 13 lakes in Kansas at risk of blue-green algae, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment said.
The KDHE releases an updated advisory every Friday. It’s broken down into three sections: hazard, warning and watch. So far in 2024, no lake has been in the hazard section.
Here are the Kansas lakes under the warning advisory:
- Amesbury Lake, Johnson County
- Atchison City Lake #8, Atchison County
- Big Eleven Lake, Wyandotte County
- Frazier Lake, Grant County
- Harvey County East Lake, Harvey County
- King Lake, Lyon County
- Lake Afton, Sedgwick County
- Melvern Outlet River Pond, Osage County
Here are the lakes under the watch advisory:
- Atchison State Fishing Lake, Atchison County
- Eagle Lake (Bel Aire), Sedgwick County
- Lake Shawnee, Shawnee County
- Melvern Outlet Swim Pond, Osage County
- Rose’s Pond (Lenexa), Johnson County
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 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.