Reservoir algae warning elevated

A blue-green algae watch for Marion Reservoir was elevated Friday to a more serious warning.

The reservoir is among six bodies of water in Kansas under algae warnings. Nine other bodies of water and under less serious algae watches. Marion County Lake is not among them.

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

• Signs must be posted at all public access locations.
• Visitors should avoid inhaling spray or aerolized reservoir water and areas of heavy algae accumulation.
• Humans, pets, and livestock should not drink reservoir water or eat dried algae.
• Visitors should avoid contacting reservoir water. If water does touch someone’s skin, the skin should immediately be washed with clean water.
• 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.

Hillsboro, Marion, Marion County Lake, and Peabody all receive their public drinking water from the reservoir, but officials emphasize that modern treatment methods remove any danger.