There is a warning advisory now in effect for all of Milford Lake.

The Operations Project Manager for the Corps of Engineers, R. J. Harms said the warning will be listed this week by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.  “It’s over the entire lake. Four of the seven samples that they took came back with cell counts high enough that they placed us under a warning level.” Harms did confirm that fortunately the toxin levels associated with the samples remain low but could increase at any time.

Harms stated boating and fishing are fine under the warning. “But they do discourage and actually prohibit any contact with the water. So we ask folks to be cautious and heed that warning, and try to not get your body in contact with the water. ” Harms added since the warning is lake wide the State Park and the Corps of Engineers are both closing their beaches. “It’s a level of warning to make sure that folks understand that they shouldn’t be in the water.”

Warning signage has been installed at boat ramps and other lake access points.  warning signs prohibit such activities as skiing, tubing,  and swimming.

This is the first time in about two years all of Milford Lake has been under a warning advisory.

Harms noted there are a lot of nutrients in the Lake, a history of blue green algae at the Reservoir, high phosphorous levels right now, and this past winter the Lake was covered by ice for about two months.  On the ice cover Harms said, “That a lot of things  settle out in the water, and our water’s really clear this spring. Unfortunately it looks nice, but it also lets sunlight get way down into the water. And that of course gets the plant growth growing and feeds the algae.”

KDHE is scheduled to return Monday to collect samples to monitor current conditions. Those results will be available until later next week, possibly late Wednesday or Thursday. Until then the warning advisory will be in effect.