This dangerous discovery means that you should really find another lake to enjoy while the algae is blooming. In addition, if you spot anything like this growing in a different lake, you should call the Kansas Department of Health and Environment at (785)-296-1664. Most of all, remember that your health is more important than a day out on your favorite lake, and a couple hours out of the way might mean a new great camping spot. You never know!
Blue-green algae is not-so-slowly taking over a select few of our many lakes.
Water that's contaminated isn't safe to drink for anyone, and you shouldn't come into contact with it either, if at all possible. You can still fish, as long as you clean the fish well and only eat the filet section of meat. All in all, you should probably avoid any water-based activities near these lakes to keep you safe. This dangerous discovery can lead to health issues for you and any of your pets.
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It looks like your regular "pond scum" but it's more dangerous than you might think.
Concentrated nitrogen and phosphorus from agriculture, sewage, and fertilizer feed the growth of this plant, making it harder for our lakes to thrive. Because it's not eaten by any of our wildlife, it will only grow without any way to stop it. However, you can't treat it with chemicals, because what kills the algae will also hurt the plants and animals we want to keep. Not only will all the algae take a while to starve out, but it will easily come back again afterwards.
Which lakes are currently affected by this dangerous discovery?
Warnings are issued for Kirwin Lake in Phillips County, Marion Reservoir, Milford Reservoir in Geary County and Sam's Pond in Hamilton County. There are three other lakes currently issued a watch, but those lakes should also be avoided as if they were just as bad. Those are Keith Sebelius Reservoir in Norton, Marion County Lake and Webster Lake in Rooks County.
Hidden away in Kansas's beautiful Trego County is a stunning man-made lake known to most as Cedar Bluff Reservoir (though sometimes you can find someone referring to it as "Cedar Bluff Lake," and honestly, that's fine), an idyllic slice of paradise for anyone seeking the beauty of the outdoors in the Sunflower State. Of all 24 of our large, man-made reservoirs in Kansas, this one might just be my personal favorite.
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With a surface area of nearly 8,900 acres, this utterly stunning example of our amazing little state is one of my top places to escape when life gets just a little too noisy. Life in Kansas is typically pretty quiet, and our lakes are a perfect demonstration of this. Cedar Bluff Reservoir is clear, clean, and absolutely beautiful - you know, like the rest of the state!
The reservoir is quiet, clean, and still, with all sorts of wildlife-spotting opportunities for anyone who might be interested. The lake is a boater's dream, too, with no less than two boat ramps and a fish-cleaning facility lakeside.
The water is always clear, and with depths of nearly 60 feet, it's easy to see why this lake is among the locals' favorites. That being said, though, it's still Kansas - so this lake sees maybe 250,000 visitors per year (compare that to, say, Yellowstone National Park, which often sees more than 30,000 visitors per day during the busy season). By Kansas standards, that sounds busy - but for the rest of the world, it's just right.
Perhaps best of all, though, is enjoying a nice, quiet stroll around the reservoir while fully immersed in the wonder of Kansas's countryside, with rolling green hills and seemingly endless blue skies overhead.
Kansas is an underrated state, often dismissed as boring, but this couldn't be further from the truth. It's beautiful, with infinite fields of emerald green and thigh-high grasslands that ripple forever in the breeze. Wind turbines churn on the horizon, giving everything an extraordinarily dreamlike feel.
I love this state—enormously—and I think Cedar Bluff is a wonderfully accurate representation of it. The lake is wonderful, yes, but do make time to explore the entire preserve; it is everything that's right with the world... especially the Kansan world (can you tell I love Kansas?).
If you're planning to visit Kansas and need a place to stay, be sure to check out the coolest options from our friends at VRBO. Do you have a favorite lake in Kansas you'd like to tell me about? Let me know in the comments!
Summer in Kansas is a blast, but it can also get quite warm, to say the least. If you're looking for the perfect way to cool off, why not go for a swim by a beach? We're about as land-locked as it gets here in the Sunflower State, but that doesn't mean we don't have some amazing places for a day out on the water. Here are a few of our favorite natural and manmade swimming lakes in Kansas that are just perfect for summer frolicking!
Cedar Bluff State Park is an amazing place to visit at any time of year. This epic state park has amazing limestone bluffs, miles of hiking trails, over 100 campsites, and an array of wildlife-spotting opportunities. However, what's really special here in the summer is the 6,000-acre reservoir that shares the park's name. The swim beach here has soft sand and will make you forget you're in a land-locked state. Whether you're looking to relax by the water, take a dip to cool off, or enjoy a bit of fishing, there's so much to love about this great state park in Ellis, KS.
HorseThief Reservoir is one of the gems of Central Kansas. This sprawling lake has tons to do along the shore, with campsites and a frisbee golf course to check out. Some of the state's best fishing can be enjoyed here, and it's a popular spot for boating and kayaking. Don't miss the swimming beach, though - it's perfect for the whole family and a great way to cool off on a hot day!
Eisenhower State Park is not among the state's most-visited state parks, but it's a wonderful place for a day of adventure, especially in the warm months! Miles of trails are perfect for explorers, and you can also enjoy archery and kayaking. The park is home to Melvern Lake, a huge reservoir. There's a sandy beach, swimming area, and even a sand volleyball court to enjoy by the lake - needless to say, it's a great summer destination.
Lovewell State Park offers up over 1,100 acres of fun, and Lovewell Reservoir is the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon on the water. The campground here is great, and you'll also find an archery range, playgorund, sand volleyball court, disc golf course, and more. There's a marina here with boat ramps and fish-cleaning stations if you prefer to be out on a boat instead of swimming.
El Dorado State Park is the largest state park in Kansas, with more than 4,000 acres of protected lands. The park surrounds El Dorado Lake, a beautiful reservoir in the Flint Hills. It's a popular spot for fishing, and a variety of species live in the reservoir, including catfish, crappie, and rainbow trout. The park is divided into four areas, each of which has camping areas, boat ramps, and trails. It's at Bluestem Point Area where you'll find a swimming beach, and the Walnut River Area has a little swimming pond.
Cheney State Park is a lovely spot with hundreds of primitive campsites and miles of trails, but it's also home to an immense lake perfect for recreation. It's actually the windiest lake in the continental U.S., making it great for sail boating and windsurfing. There's tons of fish and wildlife here, and this is a wonderful place for spending time out on the water. There are several beaches for those seeking relaxation by the lake.
If you've never been to Crawford State Park, it's definitely worth a visit! This 500-acre oasis has a six campgrounds, and the 150-acre lake is one of our favorites in the Sunflower State. There are two boat ramps here and ample populations of catfish, crappie, and bass, but the lake is also great for swimming. The park offers up beautiful scenery and is an amazing place to visit any time of year, but the lake is definitely a summer gem.
Hillsdale State Park is a sprawling preserve that is home to tons of wildlife, including an abundant supply of fish. There's a lot to do here, with an equestrian area, shooting range, archery range, campgrounds, and plenty of opportunities for fishing, and it doesn't get much better than a visit to the beach here in the summer months.
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Which of these swimming lakes in Kansas is your favorite? Any that you love that we didn't mention? Share your thoughts in the comments!
When enjoying summer fun, make sure to stay safe and protect your skin with a high quality sunscreen. I love Sun Bum from REI - it's lightweight and not greasy!
