Emporia State University’s King Lake has been in an algae-related alert of some level now for nearly four straight months.
Friday’s announcement by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment keeps King Lake in an algae warning for the second straight weekend. Alerts for the lake started in late June.
Melvern Outlet’s River Pond remains in an algae warning, while the Melvern Outlet Swim Pond remains in an algae watch.
Algae alerts are for confirmed or likely blooms, which create several toxins that can be harmful or deadly if the algae is consumed. Toxins can be eaten, inhaled or absorbed by skin contact, with symptoms including rash, headache, sore throat, diarrhea and fever. Animals swimming in or drinking algae-infested water — or those eating dried algae — can become seriously sick or die as a result of the toxins.
