Public Health Advisories for Kansas Lakes Due to Blue-Green Algae

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) issued their latest public health advisory update due to blue-green algae late Thursday afternoon, June 15. Once again, Webster Reservoir, located 8 miles west of Stockton, remains in an Active "Warning" Advisory.

The water recreation season in Kansas officially runs from April 1 to October 31, as do the harmful algae blooms (HAB) response program's active operations. Kansans should remain vigilant while engaging in recreational activities in or on the water, such as swimming, boating, and fishing.

A harmful algal bloom (HAB) may look like foam, scum or paint floating on the water and be colored blue, bright green, brown or red. Blooms can develop rapidly; if the water appears suspicious or there are decaying algae on the shore, avoid contact and keep dogs away. These toxins can be absorbed by ingestion, inhalation of aerosols and even skin contact. Symptoms vary depending upon the type of exposure (e.g., direct contact, ingestion, inhalation) but can include rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, and headache. If you or your dog come into contact with algae, rinse the area with clean, fresh water. Suspected HAB-related health incidents, whether human or animal, regardless of season, should be reported at kdhe.ks.gov/1163.

Active Advisories 

Warning 

• Lovewell Lake (Reservoir), Jewell County (Added June 15)
• Pomona Lake, Osage County 
• Webster Lake (Reservoir), Rooks County 
• Wellington Lake, Sumner County

Watch

• Augusta Santa Fe Lake, Butler County
• Cedar Lake, Johnson County (Added June 15) 
• Harvey County East Lake, Harvey County
• Lake Afton, Sedgwick County (Added June 15) 
• Lake Parsons, Neosho County (Added June 15)
• Marion Lake (Reservoir), Marion County 
• Mount Hope – Woodland Park Pond, Sedgwick County (Lowered June 15)

Lifted

• Big Eleven Lake, Wyandotte County (Lifted June 15)
• Milford Lake Zone A, Dickinson & Geary Counties (Lifted June 15)

The state of Kansas recognizes three advisory levels: 

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

• Signage should be posted at all public access locations.
• It is recommended that a portion of the lake, 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 will 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. 

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 swimming in or drinking water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eating dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die. 

For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit kdhe.ks.gov/HAB and check out our interactive story.