TOPEKA (KSNT) – Kansas health officials report a Topeka-area lake is now clear of blue-green algae issues while advisories persist at multiple other lakes across Kansas.
Staff with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reported on Sept. 4 that Topeka’s Lake Shawnee is no longer under a blue-green algae watch. The KDHE initially announced the lake was under a blue-green algae watch in early August.
KDHE officials said multiple other lakes remain under blue-green algae alerts this week. The agency recommends people take precautions before interacting with the water at these lakes due to potential algae-related health hazards.
- Warning
- Hain State Fishing Lake in Ford County
- Lake Charles in Ford County
- Gathering Pond in Geary County
- Frazier Lake in Grant County
- Melvern Outlet River Pond in Osage County
- Lake Scott in Scott County
- Chisholm Ridge Ponds in Sedgwick County
- Lake Afton in Sedgwick County
- Neodesha Riverwalk Park Pond in Wilson County
- Watch
- Hiawatha City Lake in Brown County
- Pony Creek Lake in Brown County
- Lone Star Lake in Douglas County
- Jetmore City Lake in Hodgeman County
- Elkhorn Lake in Jackson County
- Jewell State Fishing Lake in Jewell County
- Gardner City Lake in Johnson County
- Marion County Lake in Marion County
- Ottawa State Fishing Lake in Ottawa County
- Jeffrey Energy Center Make-up Lake in Pottawatomie County
- Amesbury Lake in Johnson County
- Kingston Lake in Johnson County
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KDHE officials said water at lakes that are at a ‘warning’ status may contain dangerous amounts of algae and should be avoided by people and pets. Lakes that are at a ‘watch’ status may contain water that is unsafe to enter. In both cases, signage is posted around lakes that have blue-green algae to notify the public of potential health hazards.
Blue-green algae may appear as scum or paint on the surface of the water and, in higher concentrations, as a thick green substance, according to the KDHE. People who enter water that contains high amounts of blue-green algae may develop rashes while those who swallow contaminated water or inhale aerosols could experience vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat and headache.
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