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The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) have issued a public health advisory about blue-green algae.
According to KDHE, Harmful Algae Blooms (HAB) may appear as foam, scum, or paint-like patches on the water, with colors ranging from blue and bright green to brown or red. These blooms can develop quickly. If you notice suspicious water or decaying algae along the shore, avoid contact and keep pets, especially dogs, away.
The toxins can enter the body through ingestion, inhaling airborne particles, or skin contact. Symptoms may include rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, and headache, depending on the type of exposure.
Warning
- Atchison City Lake #9, Atchison County
- Atchison County Lake, Atchison County
- Atchison State Fishing Lake, Atchison County
- Frazier Lake, Grant County
- Gathering Pond, Geary County
- King Lake, Lyon County
- Melvern Outlet Swim Pond, Osage County
- Norton Lake (Keith Sebelius Reservoir), Norton County
Watch
- Edgerton City Lake, Johnson County
- Elkhorn Lake, Jackson County
- Hodgeman State Fishing Lake, Hodgeman County
- Jeffrey Energy Center Make-up Lake, Pottawatomie County
- Marion County Lake, Marion County
- Melvern Outlet River Pond, Osage County
- Thayer Old City Lake, Neosho County
- Wilderness Lake (Overland Park), Johnson County
- Wooster Lake, Lyon County
A warning status indicates that a HAB is expected or present, and a watch status means that a HAB is possible and may be present.
Lifted
Cheney Lake, Reno, Kingman, & Sedgwick Counties
If you or your pets come into contact with algae, rinse the affected area thoroughly with clean, fresh water. Any suspected health issues related to harmful algae blooms, in humans or animals, should be reported promptly, regardless of the time of year.