After over a month of weekly warnings, Emporia State University’s King Lake is now in a blue-green algae watch/
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued the upgrade Friday, both for King Lake and the Melvern Outlet Swim Pond. The Melvern Outlet River Pond remains in an algae warning.
An algae watch means people are encouraged to avoid places where algae has collected and also to keep pets and livestock away from the water. An algae warning means all contact with the body of water in question should be avoided.
Blue-green algae blooms 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.
More information is available online at kdheks.gov/hab.
