KDHE to test for blue green algae at Winfield Lake

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May 15, 2012|By Susan Gager | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(WINFIELD, Kan.) — Joseph Ellmore is living the good life at the Winfield city lake. “Enjoying the beautiful weather and trying to catch some fish,” said Ellmore.

For the past three years he's done so no problem, but this year city officials noticed something different.

“Our water folks noticed that there was a change of color in a portion of the lake,” said Winfield City Manager Warren Porter.

They worry blue green algae is to blame.

“There are very many different strains of that. We don't know which on it is if that's what it is,” said Porter. That's why the city called the Kansas Department of Health and Enviorment.

KDHE plans to come out Monday and test the water to see if it's actually blue green algae. Earlier Tuesday, KDHE said it already did the test but later said that wasn't the case.

If it is, it could change up Ellmore's fishing game. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says high levels of it causes allergic type reactions such as intestinal or respiratory problems and skin irritation.

“It does concern me and when I heard Winfield was part of it. It kind of saddened me because I'm hoping there's no problem because I love this lake,” said Ellmore.

KDHE has only confirmed only one case this year in Great Bend. While Winfield awaits testing, Porter isn't taking any chances advising residents.

"Use your best judgment until we know what has changed at our lake,” said Porter.

KDHE says a number of hot summer days with light wind can activate the algae's potency.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife says there are other pesky Winfield lake dwellers stirring the pot.

“I actually pulled up a rock on my pole right here, and there were some zebra mussels on that rock right here,” said Ellmore.

They'll often filter the water, leaving behind the harmful algae. While Ellmore is aware, he hasn't felt sick yet.

“I probably won't be concerned until it's confirmed it's a dangerous,” said Ellmore.

KDHE says you can get sick by swallowing, swimming in water with high levels of it or through airborne droplets while swimming, boating or skiing. They'll test the Winfield City Lake on Monday.

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