The USGS Kansas Water Science Center, in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), has been studying the extreme cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABS) occurring annually in Milford Lake. CyanoHABs on Milford Lake have impacted local businesses economically, and there have been documented human illnesses and animal deaths associated with the blooms. Additionally, Milford Lake discharges into the Kansas River, which is a drinking water source for more than 800,000 Kansans.
Since 2011, the USGS has been employing a number of methods to study and understand the cyanoHABs occurring on or related to Milford Lake. These methods include discrete sampling of toxins, phytoplankton, and chlorophyll; continuous water-quality sensors; and time-lapse photography. In 2017, USGS shifted focus onto understanding the nutrient dynamics of Milford Lake, which are likely a main driver of cyanoHABs there. A real-time water quality monitor at Milford Lake near Wakefield (USGS station #391259097001800) is operated annually from mid-May to November.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Water-quality constituent concentrations and loads computed using real-time water-quality data for the Republican River, Clay Center, Kansas, August 2018 through July 2023
Spatial and temporal variability of nutrients and algae in the Republican River and Milford Lake, Kansas, June through November 2017 and May through November 2018
Spatial and temporal variability of harmful algal blooms in Milford Lake, Kansas, May through November 2016
Spatial variability of harmful algal blooms in Milford Lake, Kansas, July and August 2015
Fate and transport of cyanobacteria and associated toxins and taste-and-odor compounds from upstream reservoir releases in the Kansas River, Kansas, September and October 2011
Below are partners associated with this project.
The USGS Kansas Water Science Center, in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), has been studying the extreme cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABS) occurring annually in Milford Lake. CyanoHABs on Milford Lake have impacted local businesses economically, and there have been documented human illnesses and animal deaths associated with the blooms. Additionally, Milford Lake discharges into the Kansas River, which is a drinking water source for more than 800,000 Kansans.
Since 2011, the USGS has been employing a number of methods to study and understand the cyanoHABs occurring on or related to Milford Lake. These methods include discrete sampling of toxins, phytoplankton, and chlorophyll; continuous water-quality sensors; and time-lapse photography. In 2017, USGS shifted focus onto understanding the nutrient dynamics of Milford Lake, which are likely a main driver of cyanoHABs there. A real-time water quality monitor at Milford Lake near Wakefield (USGS station #391259097001800) is operated annually from mid-May to November.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Water-quality constituent concentrations and loads computed using real-time water-quality data for the Republican River, Clay Center, Kansas, August 2018 through July 2023
Spatial and temporal variability of nutrients and algae in the Republican River and Milford Lake, Kansas, June through November 2017 and May through November 2018
Spatial and temporal variability of harmful algal blooms in Milford Lake, Kansas, May through November 2016
Spatial variability of harmful algal blooms in Milford Lake, Kansas, July and August 2015
Fate and transport of cyanobacteria and associated toxins and taste-and-odor compounds from upstream reservoir releases in the Kansas River, Kansas, September and October 2011
Below are partners associated with this project.