- Home
- Programs & Services
- Division of Environment
- Field Services
- Harmful Algal Blooms
Harmful Algal Blooms
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) monitoring is concurrent with the water recreation season, April 1 through October 31. The public is encouraged to stay informed year-round because exposure through contact or ingestion can cause illness for animals and humans. Blooms are unpredictable. They can develop rapidly and may move across a water body due to wind or water current, so lake visitors must use their best judgment.
Current Advisories
The three advisory levels are Watch, Warning and Hazard. Current advisories are listed in the table or view the current lake advisories map. To hear current advisories, call the HAB hotline at 855-HAB-LAKE or 855-422-5253.
| Lake | County | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Big Eleven Lake | Wyandotte | Watch |
| Fossil Lake | Russell | Watch |
| Harvey County East Lake | Harvey | Warning |
| Lake Afton | Sedgwick | Warning |
| Lovewell Lake (Reservoir) | Jewell | Warning |
| Melvern Outlet River Pond | Osage | Watch |
| Rock Garden Pond | Shawnee | Watch |
| South Lake (Overland Park) | Johnson | Warning |
Recommendations
Click through the tabs to learn what to do during a Harmful Algal Bloom advisory.
Hazard
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.
Warning
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.
Watch
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.
For Animals & Humans
Exposure to HABs, 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.
HAB Response Plan
For advisories that are still active outside of the monitoring season, KDHE relies on lake managers to monitor changing conditions. KDHE does not have the authority to close a lake, but does provide recommendations regarding health advisories based on analytical results. To learn more, view KDHE's full response plan page.
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 the images to view or download and share the full-sized zone maps for the following lakes: