The Corps of Engineers at Milford Lake have announced that the Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE) results from lake samples taken Wednesday, July 5th have been received. Due to high blue green algae cell counts all zones of the reservoir, including Zones A, B and C are in a “Warning” status.

A “Warning” indicates that blue green algae is present at a level considered unsafe for people and animals.  Contact with lake water should be avoided.

The designated swim beaches at the Corps of Engineers and Milford State Park will be closed until next week’s test results are known.

Bill Whitworth, Corps of Engineers Project Manager, said that this does not mean swimming is prohibited at Milford Lake.

“It does not prevent people from swimming at other locations,” said Whitworth. “They need to use their discretion – blue green algae will migrate from here to there and one day it may be clear and the next day it may not….as a general guideline, swimming is not prohibited, swimming on the designated beaches will be [prohibited] until we get results next week.”

Lake users are reminded that blue green algae may appear or disappear suddenly and move as the wind shifts; boaters should use caution and move to a clear portion of the lake.