Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
Due to COVID-19 concerns and staff availability, the HAB Response Program will operate under a streamlined work flow through at least June 2020.
KDHE has established the following recommendations for a Watch, Warning, or Hazard. However, Kansans should be aware that blooms are unpredictable. They can develop rapidly and may move across a waterbody due to wind or current, so visitors must exercise their best judgment. KDHE does not have the authority to close a lake. KDHE provides recommendations regarding health advisories based on analytical results.
Click here to see KDHE's full response plan.
During the HAB season, lake advisories are updated by 5:00 pm every Thursday.
See below for descriptions of the advisories and zoned lakes.
Monitoring for algal blooms is concurrent with the water recreation season which lasts April 1 – October 31. Please report algal blooms by using the online complaint form. For those advisories that were still active at the end of the season, KDHE relies on lake managers to continue monitoring those lakes. The KDHE Agency Response Plan for Harmful Algal Blooms can be viewed here.
Current Lake Advisories |
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| Lake | County | Level |
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Cheney Reservoir Gathering Pond at Milford Lake Lovewell Reservoir Marion County Lake Marion Reservoir Mission Lake (Horton) Norton Lake (Sebelius) Perry Lake Zone C Perry Lake Zone D Peter Pan Pond Rock Garden Pond Washington Co. State Fishing Lake |
Reno, Kingman, Sedgwick Counties Geary County Jewell County Marion County Marion County Brown County Norton County Jefferson County Jefferson County Lyon County Shawnee County Washington County |
Warning Warning Warning Warning Watch Watch Watch Watch Watch Warning Watch Watch |
Click here to see a map of current advisories.
General Information
KDHE samples public use lakes only in response to complaints of human or animal illness or visual sighting of possible blue-green algae by the public or lake officials.
For KDHE to respond to a blue-green algae sighting, the request from the public must be made through the online Algae Bloom Reporting Form.
There are three types of advisories:
| WATCH | WARNING | HAZARD |
|---|---|---|
Harmful algae is POSSIBLE AND MAY BE PRESENT • Signage will be posted at all public access locations• Water may be unsafe for humans/ animals • Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water • Swimming, wading, skiing, and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms • Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact. • Clean fish well with potable water and eat fillet portion only |
Harmful algae is EXPECTED OR PRESENT All of the recommendations of the Public Health Watch remain in effect, with the following addition: |
Harmful algae is PRESENT AND EXTREME CONDITIONS EXIST It is recommended that either a portion of the lake, entire lake, or zone, be closed and in some cases the adjacent land (e.g., approximately 100 ft. from the shoreline) be closed to the public. Actual setback distances will be determined on a site-specific basis, if necessary. When partial closures (i.e., beach or cove) are issued, the remaining lake or zone area will carry a warning status. |
Some lakes have more than one management area, or "zone." Click on the lake name to see the zones for the following lakes: Milford, Perry, and Tuttle.
 Milford Lake Zones |
 Perry Lake Zones |
 Tuttle Lake Zones |
To hear advisories, call the HAB hotline at
785-296-1664