Algae advisory downgraded

A blue-green algae warning originally issued June 11 for Marion Reservoir was downgraded Thursday to a watch, and a watch originally issued June 26 for Marion County Lake was lifted altogether.

Normal activities are now allowed at the lake even though Kansas Department of Health and Environment rules continue to state that at the reservoir:

• 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.