photo by: Kansas Department of Health and Environment

A KDHE poster with information about harmful algal blooms

UPDATED at 4:30 P.M. JUNE 16

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Thursday afternoon lifted a watch advisory at Clinton Lake that was issued last week after harmful algal blooms had been confirmed at the reservoir southwest of Lawrence.

As the Journal-World previously reported, the Army Corps of Engineers had recently warned of potential harmful algal blooms, known as HABs, at Clinton, and said that a test late last week confirmed the suspicion.

“In further communications with Kansas Department of Health and Environment, we determined it was in the public’s best interest to put the lake in Watch status,” the Corps said in a June 10 Facebook post. “Recreationists can still use the lake but should avoid visible blooms. It is recommended that pets are not allowed in the water as they are more sensitive to the algae.”

Clinton Lake is a major source of drinking water for the city of Lawrence and the surrounding area. Algal blooms pose no health threat to the drinking water supply but can produce taste and odor problems in treated water, Joshua Toevs, water quality lab manager for the city of Lawrence, told the Journal-World on Thursday afternoon.

The plant is equipped to filter a wide variety of algal blooms, and it monitors for signs of algae coming into the plant from its Clinton Lake water intake. Toevs said the city hasn’t seen a spike in algae samples while the Clinton Lake warning was in effect.

photo by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers posted this photo on social media June 9, 2022, and warned of potentially harmful algal blooms at Clinton Lake.

HABs are made up of blue-green algae that produce chemical compounds that are toxic to people and pets, as well as livestock and wildlife. The biggest health risk comes from contact with or ingestion of the toxins.

KDHE has issued the following warning about HAB: “If you observe a scum or paint-like surface on the water, small floating blue-green clumps or filaments in the water, or if the water is an opaque green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.”

An attempt to reach a manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wasn’t immediately successful on Thursday afternoon to inquire about the extent of the algal blooms on the 7,000-acre lake.

KDHE also indicates that a HAB may look like foam and be colored blue, bright green, brown or red. Blooms can develop rapidly, and the toxins can be absorbed by ingestion, inhalation of aerosols and skin contact. ”Symptoms vary,” KDHE says, “depending upon the type of exposure (e.g. direct contact, ingestion, inhalation) but can include rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, and headache. If you, or your dog, come into contact with algae rinse the area with clean, fresh water.”

People are urged to report suspected HAB-related health incidents, whether human or animal, at KDHE’s website.

To see if a lake that you are interested in visiting is under a HAB advisory, check online here.

photo by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers posted this photo on social media June 9, 2022, and warned of potentially harmful algal blooms at Clinton Lake.