Public Health Advisory Continues For Lovewell Reservoir
PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY CONTINUES FOR LOVEWELL RESERVOIR
Blue-green algae still producing toxins
WEBBER--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is continuing to advise the public to avoid contact with water in Lovewell Reservoir in Jewell County.
On July 16, KDHE issued a public health advisory after confirming a toxic blue-green algae bloom in the reservoir. Concentrations of algae in the reservoir exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended level of 100,000 cells/ml for recreational water use. Elevated levels of toxins from the algae were also confirmed.
KDHE sampled the reservoir this week and the results continue to exceed these recommended levels. As a result, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) announces that the lake will remain closed until at least Friday, July 30. Lovewell State Park remains open.
KDHE continues to recommend the following precautions be taken at Lovewell Reservoir:
* Avoid ingesting reservoir water
* Avoid swimming or wading in reservoir water
* Avoid consuming any fish or shellfish from the reservoir until further notice as fish and shellfish may absorb toxins from the bloom
The irrigation canals were also sampled this week and results were below the WHO recommended limit. Subsequently, the irrigation canals are no longer part of the public health advisory.
Exposure to the algae or its toxins can cause illness and is dependent on the route of the exposure. Contact with the water, such as wading or swimming, can cause a skin rash, as well as eye, ear and throat irritation. Ingestion or inhaling aerosols (such as from personal watercraft or boating) of contaminated water can cause diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, fever, fatigue and flu-like symptoms. If you develop similar symptoms after contact with the reservoir water, seek medical care from your healthcare provider.
Animals, especially dogs, can also become ill. If your pet becomes ill soon after contact with the water, contact your veterinarian right away.
KDHE and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks will continue to monitor the situation and rescind this advisory as soon as conditions warrant. If the public has any questions or concerns, KDHE can be contacted during normal business hours at 785-291-3092. For information about Lovewell State Park, call 785-753-4971.
Further information on algae and algae blooms can be found at: http://www.kdheks.gov/befs/download/...t_CEC_2004.pdf
Kansas River Asian Carp Infestation Critical
KANSAS RIVER ASIAN CARP INFESTATION CRITICAL
Asian Carp
Anglers warned that possession of prohibited species is illegal; native game fish threatened
PRATT — About five years ago, adult silver carp were first noticed in the Kansas River, leaping high in the air and endangering boaters. These non-native fish have a peculiar habit of leaping completely out of the water as a motorboat passes over, but their presence threatens more than boaters. Silver carp, along with the bighead carp, are extremely prolific breeders and threaten channel catfish, bass, walleye, crappie — all native game fish — as well as bait fish anywhere they are spread.
High water this spring has made the situation worse, creating a reproductive explosion of these fish, which, in addition to endangering native species, are illegal to possess alive. Biologists from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) are monitoring the situation, but without the help of responsible anglers, things could get much worse. As of Aug. 2, young-of-the-year (2 to 3 inches long) Asian carp were "stacked up by the hundreds of thousands" below Johnson County WaterOne Coffer Dam, according to KDWP aquatic nuisance specialist Jason Goeckler.
"I've never seen anything like this," the seasoned biologist said. "The water is just loaded with them. You can stick a dip net in and pull up 100 or more at a time, and our real concern is that — because they could easily be mistaken for shad or other minnows — anglers will put them in their bait buckets and take them to other waters."
Later that day, Goeckler and staff checked the Bowersock Dam at Lawrence and found more bighead carp. Although not in the same densities, they could easily be caught, and adult silver carp could be seen leaping into the falls. Asian carp were also reported congregating below the dam at Atchison State Fishing Lake.
Just putting these fish in a bait bucket is illegal. Silver carp and bighead carp are on the state list of species that are illegal to import, possess, or release alive in Kansas. That means they cannot be kept if taken in a seine, put in a bait bucket, or used for bait unless they are killed first. Violation is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.
While many anglers seine their own bait, few can readily identify one "minnow" from another. But it's easy to learn. Go online to kdwp.state.ks.us, then click "Fishing/Aquatic Nuisance Species/Aquatic Nuisance Species List/Asian Carp." Here you'll find pictures and detailed descriptions of the fish, as well as a link to a video on Asian carp by famous angler Bill Dance. Dance discusses not only how to indentify the fish but the dangers of their spread. This page also contains links to Asian carp management and a silver carp fact sheet, as well as information on other aquatic nuisance species, including an online education certification course to help viewers understand the issue and how to prevent spread of these species.
It is illegal for anglers to move bait from any body of water to another, and if anglers don't comply with this regulation, it will be more than a "nuisance" for them and their sport. Anglers could be destroying the thing they love most. Asian carp feed on plankton, algae, and aquatic insects. They are not sportfish and are rarely caught on hook and line.
Kansas anglers need to educate themselves about these destructive fish and take the necessary steps to prevent their spread. Currently, Asian carp can be found in the Big Blue, Kansas, Missouri, and Wakarusa rivers in Kansas. Any streams that connect to the Kansas or Missouri river will likely contain these fish, so use extreme caution with bait in these areas.
Remember:
* learn to identify Asian carp because it's illegal to possess them alive;
* you can seine your own bait, but legal bait fish can only be used in the waters where they were caught — it's illegal to move bait fish from one water to another;
* Asian carp have the potential to take over a fishery and destroy populations of desirable native fish.
Zebra Mussel Veligers Found Below John Redmond Reservoir
KDWP News Release Posted 8/4/2010
ZEBRA MUSSEL VELIGERS FOUND BELOW JOHN REDMOND RESERVOIR
Infestation from Marion Reservoir was expected; mussels headed down Neosho River
PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has confirmed that zebra mussels have spread downstream from Marion Reservoir and into John Redmond Reservoir, east of Emporia on the Neosho River. Now zebra mussel larvae, called veligers, have been found below the John Redmond Dam, and KDWP is warning stakeholders and cities along the river to prepare for zebra mussels in their areas.
"Following the Marion Reservoir zebra mussel discovery in 2008, we knew the mussels would certainly make it downstream to John Redmond," said KDWP aquatic nuisance specialist Jason Goeckler. "After intensive sampling in the Cottonwood River for the last few years, we found veligers in the river at Emporia in July and now below Redmond this week. This is no surprise, but it's not good news. All downstream stakeholders should have a plan to deal with this problem. KDWP will post signs and provide technical assistance wherever needed."
The infestation not only poses a problem for all water users and municipalities along the Neosho, but also Coffey County Lake. Although currently not infested, this lake likely will be because water is pumped from the Neosho River to the lake. Wolf Creek Generating Station currently is not pumping, so signs warning of zebra mussel infestation will not be posted at the lake until pumping resumes and mussels are discovered.
The heart of any action plan to deal with zebra mussels is KDWP's "clean, drain, dry" procedure. This entails cleaning, draining, and drying all equipment — including boats, tackle, waders, and any other equipment used on the water — before moving it from one body of water to another. A detailed procedure for halting the spread of zebra mussels from one infested water to another includes the following steps.
Clean
Inspect all equipment for anything attached (plants, animals, and mud) and remove anything that is found.
Drain
Drain all water from equipment (livewell, bilge, bait buckets) before using at a different location.
Dry
Dry all equipment for a minimum of five days before using again. If you need to use it sooner, wash with hot (140º) water.
Anglers should also remember that it is illegal to move fish or bait from one body of water to another.
To help stem the spread of zebra mussels and other aquatic nuisance species (ANS), KDWP has developed an online study and test site where water users can be wise users when it comes to ANS. Go to the KDWP website, KDWP - KDWP, and click "Fishing/Aquatic Nuisance Species" to learn all about these destructive species in Kansas and link to ANS Education Course and Voluntary Certification. Educational information is displayed in video, text, and image form. After reviewing this material, participants can take a quiz with scenario-based questions to test what they've learned. Those who complete the process can then print a certificate proving that they have taken this short course.
The potential impact of zebra mussels on fisheries can be profound. Zebra mussels eat by filtering microscopic food from the water. Young fish and native mussels rely on this same microscopic food to survive.
Economic impacts are as grim as ecosystem impacts. Due to zebra mussels in intake/discharge pipes, municipalities, utilities, and industries have incurred significant costs associated with monitoring, cleaning, and controlling infestations.
Zebra mussels also have sharp shells that can cut the unprotected skin of people and animals. Federal legislation has been passed to help prevent the spread of zebra mussels. If an individual is caught transporting live zebra mussels into Kansas, they may face up to six months in jail and fines up to $5,000.
