County lake warning downgraded to advisory

It is safe to go in the water again at Marion Reservoir.

Test results for blue-green algae showed it was safe to end a public health advisory for blue-green algae Thursday. The tests were conducted by Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Levels of blue-green algae were 48.3 percent below the level for an advisory at Hillsboro Cove, 37.3 percent below at Marion Cove beach, and 75.7 percent below at Cottonwood Point.

Also on Thursday, KDHE downgraded a public health warning for Marion County Park and Lake to an advisory.

Tests were 51.6 percent below the level for a warning at the dam area boat ramp and 47.4 percent below at the swimming beach.

Just a week earlier, the levels were 51.1 percent above warning level at the boat ramp and 168.6 percent above at the swimming beach.

The levels at the county lake are still too high for swimming, Marion County Environmental Health Director Tonya Richards said Thursday. The county does have the option of opening the lake for activities such as skiing, however. Richards said county commission will likely address the issue during its meeting Friday.

With the change from a warning to an advisory, tests will be conducted at the county lake on a monthly basis instead of weekly.