12 Kansas lakes, ponds declared unsafe to enter, here's why

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Kansas health officials say people should think twice before getting in the water at more than a dozen lakes due to the presence of harmful algae.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) said in a press release on Friday, Aug. 1 that a dozen lakes have reached dangerously high levels of blue-green algae this summer. Multiple other lakes are also showing signs of the algae that could mean trouble later on for people who like to enjoy water-based activities.

The KDHE reports that 12 lakes are classified at 'warning' status for blue-green algae while several others are at 'watch' status. These include the following bodies of water:

Warning level

• 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.
• Lake Afton - Sedgwick County.
• Melvern Outlet River Pond - Osage County.
• Melvern Outlet Swim Pond - Osage County.
• Norton Lake/Keith Sebelius Reservoir - Norton County.
• Ottawa State Fishing Lake - Ottawa County.
• Rock Garden Pond - Shawnee County.

Watch level

• Eagle Lake - Sedgwick County.
• Edgerton City Lake - Johnson County.
• Elkhorn Lake - Jackson County.
• Hodgeman State Fishing Lake - Hodgeman County.
• Marion County Lake - Marion County.
• Wilderness Lake - Johnson County.
• Wooster Lake - Lyon County.

The KDHE reports that bodies of water which contain the algae can be classified at watch, warning or hazard status depending on the severity of the algae in the water. Blue-green algae can lead to the creation of harmful algal blooms (HAB) which pose a public health hazard for people, pets and livestock. People are encouraged to avoid contact with the water if it is at warning status.

"If you observe a scum or paint-like surface on the water, small floating blue-green clumps or filaments in the water, or if the water is an opaque green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die."

KDHE press release excerpt

You can learn more about blue-green algae and the dangers it presents by heading to the KDHE's website. You can watch an informative video on blue-green algae by clicking here.

For more Kansas Outdoors, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf