Levels of potentially toxic, blue-green algae have significantly decreased in Milford Reservoir, Kansas Department of Health and Environment officials announced today.
The agency’s previous warning against using the lake for any recreation has been lifted and replaced with a public health advisory, which means that activity such as boating or fishing may be safe, but direct water contact should be avoided.
“Lake visitors need to be very careful and avoid the visible algae mats that are being left behind as the water continues to fall. Toxins still exist in the algae, and if someone were to ingest some of this matter they could become quite ill,” said Tom Langer, director of the KDHE Bureau of Environmental Health. “Pet owners especially should keep their animals out of the algae remnants as the toxins that remain are concentrated enough to kill your pet.”
Milford is one of several lakes that have been under warning or advisory for blue-green algae for much of the summer. The algae are actually various types of cyanobacteria. Skin contact can cause allergic reactions and ingesting the infected water can cause diarrhea, vomiting and other health problems.
Water officials in Lawrence and Johnson County earlier this month found algae in the Kansas River following releases from upstream Milford Reservoir and decided to stop drawing river water into the municipal water treatment plants as a precaution.
Johnson County resumed drawing river water September 15. Lawrence water officials said they have not resumed drawing water from the river, but not because of algae concerns. They have used the suspension as an opportunity to perform maintenance on the river plant, and that maintenance has not been completed.