Emporia State University’s King Lake is now clear of a blue-green algae warning for the first time since the spring.
In an update from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Friday, the water body, which had been in a warning since early April, had the warning lifted. The lake had also been in a warning for the better part of 2025 before the latest warning was issued.
While King Lake has been cleared for the time being, the Melvern Outlet River pond in Osage County is currently under an algae watch.
Algae alerts are issued due to the presence of 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.
More information about algae health concerns, algae reporting procedures, algae health tips and other information, including an interactive map, is online at kdhe.ks.gov/hab.
