Two Kansas lakes issued public health advisories due to blue-green algae

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Two lakes in Kansas have been issued public health advisories ahead of Memorial Day weekend due to blue-green algae.

According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Marion Lake and Norton Lake have been added to the warning level of active advisories.

Kansas recognizes three advisory levels:

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

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. 

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 well with potable water and eat fillet portion only. 

The KDHE says advisories are lifted when cell densities and toxin concentrations dissipate to levels below the Watch thresholds.

On Thursday, advisories for Melvern Lake, Pomona Lake and Big Eleven Lake were lifted.

The KDHE states they “investigate 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, the KDHE says to avoid contact and keep pets away.

These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present.

The KDHE says 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, visit kdheks.gov/algae-illness.