TOPEKA (KSNT) - A local swimming beach is set to open this weekend with many of its activities and services reduced due to the threat of a harmful algae growing in the water.
Shawnee County Parks and Recreation (SCP+R) announced on Friday, May 24 that Lake Shawnee's Adventure Cove will open this weekend on Saturday, May 25. However, many of the activities most people would expect to find at Adventure Cove, swimming, the floating playground and paddleboards, will not be accessible to the public.
Sean Zears with SCP+R said this is due to the presence of blue-green algae in the water. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) first put Lake Shawnee on its list of ongoing watches and warnings several weeks ago. In a recent release on May 24, Lake Shawnee is still listed as being under a blue-green algae watch.
Activities which are still available at Adventure Cove include renting canoes and kayaks. Boating and fishing activities are still considered safe at Lake Shawnee.
Lakes can be classified at different levels in Kansas for the presence of blue-green algae: watch, warning and hazard. The KDHE recommends different precautions to those who might come into contact with lakes afflicted by the algae:
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