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If you weren't going to Santa Fe Lake, west of Augusta, for water recreation because of the heat and drought conditions, now there's another reason to stay out of the water - toxic blue-green algae.
Santa Fe Lake is one of five Kansas lakes cited by the state health department last Friday.
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) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, responds by informing the public of these conditions.
Based upon sampling results and established health risk levels, KDHE issues the following warnings and advisories.
WARNING: 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:
Milford Lake (new listing)
Santa Fe Lake in Augusta (new listing)
Marion County Lake
Memorial Park Lake, Great Bend, Barton County
Meade State Lake, Meade County
When a warning is issued, 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
• Keep pets from having contact with or drinking lake water
CLOSURES: Due to the associated warning levels at Milford Lake, officials say Timber Creek Boat Ramp, Wakefield Swim Beach/Boat Ramp, Milford State Park Swim Beach and the Military Marina Cove/Boat Ramp are currently closed. PLEASE NOTE: The parks, marinas and lakeside businesses around Milford Lake are open for business as usual, including camping and other recreational activities. The drinking water and showers are safe and not affected by the algae bloom.
The warnings for Perry Lake Rock Creek Arm and the Perry Lake Old Town Public Use Area have been lifted. However, Perry Lake remains under an advisory status. Perry Lake State Park Swim Beach has reopened.
ADVISORY: Harmful blue-green algae have been detected at the following public waters. A Public Health Advisory indicates that a hazardous condition exists. Water activities like boating and fishing may be safe; however, direct contact with water (wading, swimming) is strongly discouraged for people and pets. Additionally, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken: do not drink the lake water; clean fish well and consume only the fillet portion, discarding all other parts; and keep pets from having contact with or drinking the lake water.
Kansas public waters currently under advisory:
Big Hill Reservoir
Perry Lake
Marion Reservoir
Old Herington City Lake
Logan City Lake, Phillips County
KDHE will continue to monitor these public waters and will update these statements as conditions warrant.
Bluegreen Algae
Sushine, unyielding heat, low water flow and no wind have created the perfect recipe for brewing the algae.
That’s because a dense, rapidly reproducing, foam-like slime known as blue-green algae is spreading like wildfire.
Algae e blooms also can be harmful to wildlife, especially cattle, dogs and other animals that may drink from ponds.
If you weren't going to Santa Fe Lake, west of Augusta, for water recreation because of the heat and drought conditions, now there's another reason to stay out of the water - toxic blue-green algae.
Santa Fe Lake is one of five Kansas lakes cited by the state health department last Friday.
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) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, responds by informing the public of these conditions.
Based upon sampling results and established health risk levels, KDHE issues the following warnings and advisories.
WARNING: 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:
Milford Lake (new listing)
Santa Fe Lake in Augusta (new listing)
Marion County Lake
Memorial Park Lake, Great Bend, Barton County
Meade State Lake, Meade County
When a warning is issued, 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
• Keep pets from having contact with or drinking lake water
CLOSURES: Due to the associated warning levels at Milford Lake, officials say Timber Creek Boat Ramp, Wakefield Swim Beach/Boat Ramp, Milford State Park Swim Beach and the Military Marina Cove/Boat Ramp are currently closed. PLEASE NOTE: The parks, marinas and lakeside businesses around Milford Lake are open for business as usual, including camping and other recreational activities. The drinking water and showers are safe and not affected by the algae bloom.
The warnings for Perry Lake Rock Creek Arm and the Perry Lake Old Town Public Use Area have been lifted. However, Perry Lake remains under an advisory status. Perry Lake State Park Swim Beach has reopened.
ADVISORY: Harmful blue-green algae have been detected at the following public waters. A Public Health Advisory indicates that a hazardous condition exists. Water activities like boating and fishing may be safe; however, direct contact with water (wading, swimming) is strongly discouraged for people and pets. Additionally, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken: do not drink the lake water; clean fish well and consume only the fillet portion, discarding all other parts; and keep pets from having contact with or drinking the lake water.
Kansas public waters currently under advisory:
Big Hill Reservoir
Perry Lake
Marion Reservoir
Old Herington City Lake
Logan City Lake, Phillips County
KDHE will continue to monitor these public waters and will update these statements as conditions warrant.
Bluegreen Algae
Sushine, unyielding heat, low water flow and no wind have created the perfect recipe for brewing the algae.
That’s because a dense, rapidly reproducing, foam-like slime known as blue-green algae is spreading like wildfire.
Algae e blooms also can be harmful to wildlife, especially cattle, dogs and other animals that may drink from ponds.
