Public health advisory issued at popular Champaign County lake

An elevated public health advisory was posted today at Champaign county’s Kiser Lake State Park after samples taken showed high levels of microcystin, a toxin produced by algae.

Information from the Ohio Department of Health shows residents are being warned to avoid all contact with the water at the levels found in the lake. Any level detected higher than 6 parts per billion prompts a health advisory, according to information from the state. At any levels higher than 20 ppb, the health department recommends residents avoid all contact with the water.

Samples taken at Kiser Lake Friday showed levels of about 25 ppb, according to the state’s BeachGuard website.

An earlier advisory was posted at the lake late last week after samples showed microsystin levels of about 11.7 ppb. At those levels, the state says swimming and wading are not recommended for children, pregnant or nursing women, people with certain medical conditions and pets.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources will continue to monitor the water and wil take additional samples next week, said Matt Eiselstein, a spokesman for the ODNR. The advisory posted will be based on the level of microsystin found in samples, he said.

Elevated public health advisories, the highest level, have also been posted at several other inland lakes across Ohio, including beaches at Buckeye Lake and Grand Lake St. Mary’s, according to the state.

Bacteria contamination alerts, posted when samples show unsafe levels of bacteria in the water, have been posted at inland lakes in Fairfield and Fayette and Clermont Counties as well at several beaches along Lake Erie. Children, the elderly and those in ill health or with weakened immune systems are advised not to swim at those beaches, according to the state.

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