August 12, 2011
Meade State Fishing Lake cleared; Milford, Cheney reservoirs improve to advisory level
TOPEKA — In recent testing of Kansas lakes by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), blue-green algae levels in Meade State Fishing Lake were nearly immeasurable, leading KDHE to remove all alerts. As a result, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has reopened the lake to all activities the lake offers, including swimming, boating, and fishing. In other good news, Milford and Cheney reservoirs were upgraded from the more severe “warning” level to the “advisory” level.

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 KDWPT, responds by informing the public of these conditions.

Health effects from exposure to blue-green algae can vary. The most common complaints after recreational exposure include vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes, eye irritation and respiratory symptoms. These toxins also cause deaths in animals.

Blue-green algae do not affect the drinking water in state parks, and all campgrounds, marinas, and other lakeside businesses remain open for business.

Based upon the latest sampling results and established health risk levels, KDHE issues warnings and advisories. A “warning” is issued when high levels of toxic blue-green algae have been detected. 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 the following waters exceeded the KDHE recommended level of less than 100,000 cells/ml for recreational water use and are currently under warning:

• Santa Fe Lake — Augusta, Butler County;
• Memorial Park Lake — Great Bend, Barton County;
• Rigg’s Park Lake — Haysville, Sedgwick County;
• Warnock Lake — Atchison County;
• Harvey County East Lake — Harvey County (new listing); and
• Augusta City Lake — Augusta, Butler County (new listing).

When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

• do not drink lake water;
• do not swim, wade, or do anything with full-body contact with lake water;
• clean fish well, consume only the fillet portion, and discard all other parts; and
• keep pets from having contact with or drinking lake water.

An “advisory” is issued when harmful blue-green algae have been detected. A “Public Health Advisory” indicates that a hazardous condition exists, but water activities such as boating and fishing may be safe. However, direct contact with water (wading, swimming) is strongly discouraged for people and pets.

KDHE has issued an Advisory for the following Kansas public waters:

• Big Hill Reservoir — Labette County;
• Logan City Lake — Phillips County;
• Marion County Lake — Marion County;
• Hillsdale Reservoir — Miami County;
• Milford Reservoir — Clay, Geary, and Dickinson counties (new listing); and
• Cheney Reservoir — Reno, Kingman, and Sedgwick counties (new listing).

When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

• do not drink lake water;
• avoid swimming, wading, or other activities with full body contact with lake water;
• clean fish well, consume only the fillet portion, and discard all other parts; and
• keep pets from having contact with or drinking lake water.

KDHE will continue to monitor these public waters and will update statements as conditions warrant. More information on algae and algae blooms, including up-to-date advisories and warnings, can be found at online at www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm.
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