Kansas is no stranger to blue-green algae and how it infests our waters almost every summer. All of our favorite lakes turn slimy, and people disregard the very real warnings given out only to realize that the risks are real. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued warnings and watches for many of our favorite lakes and ponds. Read on for the details.
When traveling to some of our favorite lakes, have you noticed green water or slime gathering on anything in the water?
Here in Kansas, that green slime we see in lakes is something we are used to seeing every summer. It's blue-green algae, and toxic to both humans and our pets. Fish don't eat it, and it grows more with high sunlight and nitrogen runoff from fertilizer. Essentially, we just have to wait for it to die off.
Pictured here is exactly what you don't do, which is go out onto the water anyways. No matter how many people say they are fine afterwards, the danger is still there.
Exposure to blue-green algae via fish consumption or skin contact can cause mild to severe headaches, GI issues, skin irritation, muscle weakness, and if ingested, can be fatal. It has unfortunately already taken the lives of dogs across the country, and we always recommend not touching the water at all if there is a bloom.
Not only are you recommended to not get in the water, but also eating any fish that hasn't been properly cleaned afterwards is a risk. For many, it's just easier to fish somewhere else, but if you need to eat fish from a lake with an algae bloom, make sure it's squeaky clean and you should be fine as long as you're only eating the meat of the fish.
Thankfully, the health and environment department has been testing the waters across Kansas, and letting us know which ones are currently unsafe and which ones are only a little unsafe at the moment.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment website is always updated with any changes to warnings, and any lake closures will be mentioned on the website as well.
Currently, lakes including a warning for blue-green algae blooms include: Big Eleven in Wyandotte countyCamp Hawk in Harvey countyGathering Ponds in Geary countyJerry Ivey Pond in Saline countyLake Afton in Sedgwick countyLakewood Park Lake in Saline countyLebo Kids' Pond in Coffey countyMarais des Cygnes Wildlife Area in Linn countyMarion County Lake in Marion countyMelvern Outlet Pond and Swim Pond in Osage countyNeosho County State Fishing Lake in Neosho countySouth Lake in Johnson countyWestlake - Gage Park in Shawnee county
It's sad to know that we're kept from some of our favorite areas of our state when the weather is so nice, but there are other ways to get your Kansas nature fix. To still enjoy our beautiful nature without getting into the water, check out this scenic drive that gets even more beautiful in the spring and fall when shorebirds are migrating.
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