Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)


Advisories

KDHE has established three advisory levels: Watch, Warning, and Hazard. However, the public should be aware that blooms are unpredictable. They can develop rapidly and may move across a waterbody due to wind or current, so lake 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. To hear current advisories, you may also call the HAB hotline at 785-296-1664.

Current Advisories
WATCH WARNING HAZARD

There are no WATCH advisories at this time.

There are no WARNING advisories at this time

There are no HAZARD advisories at this time.

 

Recommendations
WATCH WARNING HAZARD

A harmful algal bloom is POSSIBLE AND MAY BE PRESENT

  • Signage should be posted at all public access locations.
  • Water may be unsafe for humans and animals.
  • Avoid areas of algae accumulation.
  • 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.

A harmful algal bloom is EXPECTED OR PRESENT

  • Signage should be posted at all public access locations.
  • Water is unsafe for humans and animals.
  • Avoid all contact with water.
  • Inhalation of spray or aerosols may be harmful.
  • Do not let pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water.
  • If fish are caught, clean well with potable water and eat fillet portion only.

A harmful algal bloom is PRESENT, and EXTREME CONDITIONS EXIST

  • Signage should be posted at all public access locations
  • It is recommended that either a portion of the lake, or the entire lake or zone, be closed to the public.
  • In some cases the adjacent land should be closed as well. 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.

Report a Suspected Bloom or Health Incident

For KDHE to respond to a sighting of a suspected algal bloom on a public water body, the request must be made through the online Algae Bloom Reporting Form. If you do not have internet access, call the HAB Hotline at 785-296-1664 for reporting instructions.

If a person or animal becomes ill after suspected exposure to an algal bloom, consult medical or veterinary care providers immediately, and report the event. You may report using the online Health Incident Reporting Form, or by emailing KDHE.EpiHotline@ks.gov, or by calling the Epidemiology Hotline at 877-427-7317.

General Information

Monitoring for algal blooms is concurrent with the water recreation season, which is April 1 – October 31. For advisories that are still active outside this time period, KDHE relies on lake managers to monitor changing conditions.

The public is encouraged to stay informed and aware of algal blooms year round. Exposure to Harmful Algal Blooms, whether through contact or ingestion, can cause illness and even death in animals and humans. Do not allow livestock, pets, or working animals such as hunting dogs to drink from HAB-affected waters, eat dried scum on shorelines, or lick their fur after exposure.

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 by lake managers or agency scientists.

Zoned Lakes

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
Milford Lake Zones		 Perry Lake Zones
Perry Lake Zones		 Tuttle Lake Zones
Tuttle Lake Zones