TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) samples recreational bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency is alerted to a potential algae bloom. When harmful algal blooms are present, KDHE, in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), responds by informing the public of these conditions.

Based upon sampling results and established health risk levels, the following warnings and
advisories are in place.

Meade State Lake in Meade County is no longer under a Warning or an Advisory.

But, high levels of toxic blue-green algae have been detected at the following public waters. A Public Health Warning indicates that water conditions are unsafe and direct water contact (wading, skiing and swimming) should not occur. Current concentrations of algae in these waters exceeded the KDHE recommended level of less than 100,000 cells/ml for recreational water use.

Kansas public waters currently under warning includes Santa Fe Lake, in Augusta, Memorial Park Lake, in Great Bend, Rigg’s Park Lake, in Haysville, Harvey County East Lake, and the
Augusta City Lake.

Kansas public waters currently under advisory include Cheney Lake in southeast Reno County, and Marion County Lake.

KDHE will continue to monitor these public waters and will update these statements as conditions warrant.