MELVERN OUTLET PONDS, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks updated public health advisories due to blue-green algae, today, Sept. 6, 2024, leaving Melvern Outlet River Pond on the warning list, and Melvern Outlet Swim Pond under a watch advisory. Both of the Osage County water bodies have been under a health advisory since mid-July.
Melvern Lake Outlet River Pond remains under a warning status, which indicates conditions are unsafe for human and pet exposure, and contact with the water should be avoided. Melvern Outlet Swim Pond is under a watch advisory, which means blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.
When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:
- Signage should be posted at all public access locations.
- Inhalation of spray or aerosols may be harmful.
- Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.
- Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.
- Water contact should be avoided.
- Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.
- Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.
- If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.
- Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.
Other Kansas lakes currently under warning advisories are Atchison City Lake No. 8, Atchison County; Augusta City Lake, Butler County; Gathering Pond, Geary County; Harvey County East Lake, Harvey County; Horsethief Reservoir, Hodgeman County; and Lake Afton, Sedgwick County.
A watch status means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water. In addition to Melvern Outlet Swim Pond, Kansas lakes currently under a watch status are Amesbury Lake, Johnson County; Atchison State Fishing Lake, Atchison County; Eagle Lake (Bel Aire), Sedgwick County; King Lake, Lyon County; Lake Shawnee, Shawnee County; and Louisburg City Lake, Miami County.
Anyone who observes a scum or paint-like surface on the water, small floating blue-green clumps or filaments in the water, or if the water is an opaque green, should avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die. Blooms can develop rapidly; if the water appears suspicious or there is decaying algae on the shore, avoid contact and keep pets away. These toxins can be absorbed by ingestion, inhalation of aerosols and even skin contact. Symptoms vary depending upon the type of exposure (such as direct contact, ingestion, inhalation) but can include rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, and headache. Any person or pets that comes into contact with algae should rinse the area with clean, fresh water. Suspected harmful algal bloom-related health incidents, whether human or animal, regardless of season, should be reported at kdhe.ks.gov/1163. For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, see kdhe.ks.gov/HAB.
