Kansas: August Blue-Green Algae Alerts

Hillsdale Reservoir added to Advisory List, algae
levels increase at Milford

TOPEKA – Officials with the Kansas Department of Health and
Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and
Tourism caution Kansas lake users to heed blue-green algae alert
news and signs posted at lakes. KDHE staff continue to test waters
when alerted to possible blue-green algae blooms. According to
KDHE, Hillsdale Lake in Miami County was added to the Advisory List
this week. Milford Lake, which was on the Advisory List last week,
has been upgraded to the Warning List this week as blue-green algae
continues to run its cycle there.

Samples taken from Cheney Lake this week show continued high
levels of blue-green algae, and the lake has been kept on the
Warning List.

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 have also been responsible for several
deaths in dogs.

Blue-green algae do not affect the drinking water in state
parks, and all campgrounds, marinas, and other lakeside businesses
remain open for business.

Based upon the latest sampling results and established health
risk levels, KDHE issues Warnings and Advisories. 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.

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:

Milford Lake, Clay, Geary and Dickinson counties (upgraded from
Advisory);

Cheney Lake, Kingman, Reno and Sedgwick counties;

Riggs Park Lake, Haysville, Sedgwick County

Santa Fe Lake Augusta, Butler County;

Memorial Park Lake, Great Bend, Barton County;

Warnock Lake, Atchison County (new listing);

Meade State Lake, Meade County;

When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions
be taken:

do not drink lake water;

do not swim, wade, or do anything with full-body contact of lake
water;

clean fish well, consume only the fillet portion, and discard all
other parts; and

keep pets from having contact with or drinking lake water.

An “advisory is issued when harmful blue-green algae have been
detected. A “Public Health Advisory” indicates that a hazardous
“condition” exists, but water activities such as boating and
fishing may be safe. However, direct contact with water (wading,
swimming) is strongly discouraged for people and pets.

KDHE has issued an Advisory for the following Kansas public
waters:

Hillsdale Lake, Miami County (new listing);

Big Hill Reservoir, Labette County;

Marion County Lake, Marion County;

Logan City Lake, Phillips County; and

In addition, KDHE recommends the following precautions be
taken:

do not drink lake water;

clean fish well, consume only the fillet portion, and discard all
other parts; and

keep pets from having contact with or drinking lake water.

KDHE 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.