State issues warning, advisories on blue-green algae

A state agency has issued the latest warnings and advisories for blue-green algae blooms in Kansas’ lakes and ponds.

As Labor Day weekend approaches, the information may be particularly useful for people who will be at the state’s parks.

No ponds or lakes have been closed because of blue-green algae. But warnings have been issued for nine bodies of water – or parts of them – and advisories have been issued for two more by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

The north part of Chisholm Creek Park Lake in Sedgwick County is on the warning list.

A warning means the blue-green algae’s toxic level is high enough that precautions should be taken:

People, pets and livestock shouldn’t drink the water.

Avoid swimming, wading or other activities.

Fish caught from the water should be rinsed with clean water; only eat the filet portion.

If lake water comes in contact with skin or a pets’ fur, wash with clean water as soon as possible.

Don’t allow pets to eat dried algae.

Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.

An advisory includes the same information, except swimming and wading is still allowed.

Here are the lakes and ponds where a warning has been issued:

Brown County State Fishing Lake, Hiawatha City Lake, Brown County; Deanna Rose Farmstead Pond, South Park Lake, Johnson County; north part of Chisholm Creek Park Lake, Sedgwick County; Memorial Park Lake, Barton County; Jewell State Fishing Lake; Lake Warnock, Atchison County; and Milford Reservoir, north of Farnum Creek in Clay, Geary and Dickinson counties.

An advisory has been issued for Antioch Park Lake in Johnson County; and Milford Reservoir, south of Farnum Creek in Clay, Geary and Dickinson counties.

This story was originally published August 29, 2014 at 6:29 AM with the headline "State issues warning, advisories on blue-green algae."