Home » Recreational use advisory lifted for Ohio River for Markland, Meldahl and Greenup pools

Recreational use advisory lifted for Ohio River for Markland, Meldahl and Greenup pools

River free from recreational advisories for harmful algal blooms

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 4, 2015) — The Kentucky Division of Water (DOW) and the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) are removing the recreational use advisory for the Markland, Meldahl and Greenup pools of the Ohio River, effective immediately.

Results from recent sampling by the Ohio River Valley Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) indicate the levels of microcystin toxin occurring in these areas of the river are below the advisory threshold for recreating in the water. The removal of the recreational advisory means the Ohio River bordering Kentucky is now free from recreational advisories for harmful algal blooms (HABs).

The recreational advisory issued for this section of the river from the West Virginia state line to the Markland Lock and Dam that began on Sept. 4, 2015, was prompted by the presence of HABs on the river. The advisory was issued when water sampling results showed levels above the DOW recreational threshold of 20 parts per billion of microcystin toxins.

The DOW and DPH remind the public that there are always risks associated with recreating in natural waters, especially with the incidental ingestion of water. The agencies advise the public to avoid contact with waters that have obvious algal blooms or are otherwise visually suspect.

If you are concerned that you have symptoms that are a result of exposure to HABs or other water borne disease please see your doctor and call your local health department.

For additional information about HABs or other water quality concerns, contact Andrea Keatley at the Kentucky Division of Water at (502) 564-3410 or Justin T. Carey, Division of Public Health Protection and Safety, Department for Public Health, at (502) 564-4537.