TOPEKA – In a report released by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Wednesday afternoon, Veterans Memorial Lake in Great Bend remains under an public health warning for high levels of toxic blue-green algae.
 A warning is the most severe category and means high levels of toxic blue-green algae have been detected and that water conditions are unsafe and direct water contact (wading, skiing and swimming) is prohibited. The agency can also issue an advisory which means a hazardous condition exists and water activities may be safe, but contact with water is strongly discouraged for people, pets and livestock.
KDHE samples publicly accessible bodies of water for cyanobacteria, commonly called blue-green algae, when the agency is alerted to a potential algae bloom in Kansas lakes. When harmful blooms are present, KDHE, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and other lake managers respond by jointly implementing either a public health warning or advisory.
KDWPT reminds visitors that when a lake is under an advisory or warning, marinas, lakeside businesses, and park camping facilities remain open for business, although swim beaches will be closed. Park drinking water and showers are safe and not affected by the algae bloom.
Also, it is safe to eat fish caught during a harmful blue-green algae outbreak, as long as consumers clean and rinse the fish with clean, potable water; consume only the fillet portion; and discard all other parts. People should also wash their hands with clean, potable water after handling fish taken from an affected lake.
Kansans should be aware that blooms can develop rapidly, requiring lake visitors to exercise their best judgment. If there is scum, a paint-like surface, or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. KDHE and KDWPT urge dog owners to be particularly mindful of the presence of blue-green algae. Dogs 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.
As a result of this week’s water sampling, the health advisory has been lifted at Mission Lake in Brown County. Based upon sampling results and established health risk levels, the following Warnings and Advisories are in place.
Other lakes under warnings include:
 Hiawatha City Lake, Brown County
Lake Shawnee, Shawnee County (new)
Lake Warnock (Atchison City Lake), Atchison County
Logan City Lake, Phillips County
There are no lakes under the advisory status.