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TOPEKA – Recent testing of Kansas lakes by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has revealed no change in blue-green algae levels from last week’s sampling. Samples at the Dillon Nature Center indicates high toxin levels of algae bloom are still present.
A “Warning” is issued when high levels of toxic blue-green algae have been detected. A “Public Health Warning” indicates that water conditions are unsafe, and direct water contact (wading, skiing, and swimming) should not occur.
Blue-green algae do not affect the drinking water in state parks, and all campgrounds, marinas, and other lakeside businesses remain open for business.
KDHE samples recreational bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency is alerted to a potential algae bloom. When harmful algae blooms are present, KDHE, in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, responds by informing the public of these conditions.
Health effects from exposure to blue-green algae can vary. The most common complaints after recreational exposure include vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes, eye irritation and respiratory symptoms. These toxins also cause deaths in pets.
Current concentrations of algae in the following waters exceeded the KDHE recommended level of less than 100,000 cells/ml for recreational water use and are currently under Warning.
In addition to the Dillon Nature Center lakes, it also includes Augusta City Lake, Augusta Santa Fe Lake, Harvey County Camp Hawk Lake, Harvey County East Lake, Harvey County West Lake, Memorial/Veterans Park Lake in Great Bend and Rigg’s Park Lake in Haysville.
KDHE officials say should not drink lake water, don’t swim, wade, or do anything with full-body contact with lake water, clean fish well, consuming only the fillet portion, and discard all other parts and keep pets from having contact with or drinking lake water.
KDHE still has issued an advisory for Marion County Lake.
KDHE officials say they will continue to monitor these public waters and will update statements as conditions warrant. More information on algae and algae blooms, including up-to-date advisories and Warnings, can be found at online at www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm.