Awareness encouraged over Fourth of July Weekend
TOPEKA – This Fourth of July weekend, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and Tourism (KDWP) urges individuals who may be on Kansas lakes to be aware of potential blue-green algae and to understand that harmful algal blooms are unpredictable and may develop rapidly.
If you observe a scum, a paint-like surface on the water, small floating blue-green clumps or filaments, or the water is an opaque green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.
Blue-green algae warnings issued for 10 bodies of water in Kansas kake.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kake.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Statewide fishing derby underway
The Inaugural Great Kansas Fishing Derby is underway.
Ben Jedlicka, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Tourism Game Warden, says an angler’s prized catch may actually be worth a prize this summer. In an attempt to get more people out and fishing the KDWPT, Kansas Wildscape Foundation, the Bass Pro-Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, as well as many other local retailers, have created a statewide fishing derby. At least 500 specifically tagged fish will be located across 37 different Kansas waterbodies.
“And those tagged fish will have prizes associated with them, mostly gift cards because we don’t know who is getting the prizes,” Jedlicka says.