KDHE issues stream advisory for Missouri River due to upstream flooding

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced on Thursday it has issued a stream advisory for the Missouri River.

KDHE said the advisory is due to upstream flooding and bypasses of untreated sewage in Iowa and Nebraska.

The stream advisory is the result of numerous wastewater discharges in those northern states due to flooding, according to KDHE.

KDHE added the advisory was issued because elevated levels of E.coli bacteria and other contaminants may be present in the Missouri River during these flood conditions.

KDHE is advising people to stay away from the river at this time and not enter it as high flow conditions continue.

The advisory will be rescinded when the river has retreated from its current flood stage and upstream states have indicated they have wastewater bypasses under control, according to KDHE.