Lovewell State Park was a busy place this week as some folks stretched the one-day July 4th holiday into a four-day camping trip. With stormy weather in the forecast for Tuesday afternoon, there was a steady stream of people and their rigs pouring through Superior that afternoon.
The swimming beach remained closed because of a blue-green algae concern. However, the warnings was downgraded on Thursday and swimming, water skiing and other water contact activities were allowed in the main lake. Visitors were warned to avoid areas where there was visible algae concentrations and to keep pets from ingesting the algae.
On Thursday there were active warnings posted for four lakes, watches for four which included Lovewell, and three had been lifted.
The State of Kansas recognized three advisory levels. A Hazard indicates a harmful algal bloom is present and extreme conditions exist and at least a portion, if not all of the lake be closed to public access. In some cases the adjacent land can be closed to public access
A Warning status indicates that conditions are unsafe for human and pet exposure. Contact with the waterbody should be avoided.
A Watch status means that blue-green algae have been detected a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation. Pets and livestock should be kept away from the water.
Swimming, wading, skiing and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms. Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals.
Lake visitors are told to be on the watch for 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, contact should be avoided.
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