County lake algae advisory elevated

A blue-green algae watch in effect most of the summer for Marion County Lake has been elevated to a more serious warning. The warning will remain in effect until at least Friday.

The lake is among 11 bodies of water in Kansas under algae warnings. Eight other bodies of water are under less serious algae watches. Marion Reservoir is not among either group.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment rules state that whenever a warning is issued:

• Signs must be posted at public access locations.
• Visitors should avoid contacting lake water. If water does touch someone’s skin, the skin should immediately be washed with clean water.
• Visitors should avoid inhaling spray or aerolized lake water and areas of heavy algae accumulation.
• Humans, pets, and livestock should not drink lake water or eat dried algae.
• Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed.

Algae may appear as scum or a paint-like surface on the water, in small floating clumps, as filaments in the water, or as water that appears to be opaque green.

Excretions from dying blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, carry different dangers, from being minor skin irritants to potent, even fatal neurotoxins that also can damage other organs. Animals often are more susceptible than humans.