Blue-green algae is becoming a more widespread concern across Kansas as the summer continues.
Several lakes, including Carbondale West Lake, Melvern Outlet Pond, Melvern Outlet Swim Pond and Overbrook City Lake — all in Osage County — have been in under public health warnings for several weeks now. Lake Wabaunsee has been in a public health watch for several weeks, and now the Cottonwood River south of Emporia is in a public health watch as well.
Lakes under a public health warning are not closed, so marinas, lakeside businesses and park camping facilities are open for business and drinking water or shower facilities are safe to use. Boating and fishing are also safe. However, contact of any sort with the water should be avoided. Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock because of the toxic nature of blue-green algae, and pets should also avoid eating dried algae as well.
In all, 17 rivers or lakes are either in a watch or warning through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Two lakes, Lakewood Park Lake in Saline County and Webster Lake in Rooks County, are closed.
