By Hutchinson Tribune Staff
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks issued a harmful algae bloom warning for Colwich City Lake and seven other lakes and ponds Friday.
The warning indicates a harmful algae bloom is either present or expected. The warning is related to toxic blue-green algae, which can cause symptoms such as rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, and headache, depending on how someone is exposed to it, KDHE said in a news release. Exposure can be caused by ingesting the algae, breathing in spray that includes algae, or skin contact.
“A [harmful aglae bloom] may look like foam, scum or paint floating on the water and be colored blue, bright green, brown or red,” KDHE said. “Blooms can develop rapidly; if the water appears suspicious or there is decaying algae on the shore, avoid contact and keep dogs away.”
During a warning, water contact should be avoided. If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible, KDHE said. Fish from a lake under a warning may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the filet portion is consumed.
Other lakes and ponds included in the warning Friday included Amesbury Lake in Johnson County, Atchison County Lake, Fossil Lake in Russell County, Frazier Lake in Grant County, Gathering Pond in Geary County, King Lake in Lyon County, and Lake Afton in Sedgwick County.