The holiday weekend at Milford Lake has taken a hit today following the return of the KDHE toxic blue green algae test results.

R.J. Harms, Operations Project Manager for the Corps of Engineers, has announced that the northern portion of the lake from Farnum Creek north will remain in a toxic blue green algae warning. The remaining areas south of Farnum Creek will be placed under an advisory.

“Test samples came back this week and it showed that the impacts had spread a little bit to the south. We did have a higher cell count at the Milford State Park beach area,” Harms said.

North of Farnum Creek was placed under the warning last week and remains under that warning which prohibits water contact. The southern part of the lake is now under the advisory which does not prohibit water contact, but does discourage it.

The new announcement is expected to impact tourism at the lake. The Corps of Engineers and Kansas Wildlife and Parks will be closing their designated beaches for the 4th of July holiday weekend.

Harms says in addition they will be placing signage at all lake access points indicating the warning and advisory. KDHE will return on Monday to take another round of samples.