Utah Lake algae – Utah Dept. of Environmental Quality
UTAH COUNTY – Officials are warning Utahns to stay out of Utah Lake while the health department tests the waters for a toxic algae bloom.
The Utah State Division of Water Quality and Utah County Health Department are posting closures on Utah Lake to warn people from the medical complications that can occur with this bloom.
Water samples were taken and results should come back Thursday.
Depending on those results, some areas around the lake could close.
The Utah County Emergency Manager contacted organizers for the Toughman Triathlon scheduled for this weekend and suggested that they find another venue for their event.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Click here for more details on harmful algae blooms.
Update from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality:
Utah Lake State Park contacted the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) yesterday morning [Wednesday] after a recreational user on Utah Lake reported a large algal bloom extending from Provo Bay to the State Park Harbor.
A sampling crew from DWQ arrived at the lake early yesterday [Wednesday] afternoon and confirmed the presence of an extensive bloom on the east side of Utah Lake between Provo Bay and the state park. The crew also identified an algal slick approximately 19 kilometers across and 30-50 meters wide running east-west across the lake.
Analysis of satellite imagery from July 11, 2016, shows bands of algal blooms across approximately 100 square kilometers of Utah Lake. Aerial images of the lake are available on the USGS LandsatLook website. Zoom to Utah Lake and choose the most recent date to view images.
Utah Lake algae - Utah Dept. of Environmental Quality
Utah Lake algae - Utah Dept. of Environmental Quality
Samples collected yesterday [Wednesday] will be analyzed for phytoplankton species, cell counts, and toxins. Results for species identification and cell counts should be back by the end of today [Thursday]. Toxin sample results may be back as early as close of business tomorrow [Friday] or early next week, depending on the lab’s turnaround time.
DWQ is developing a lake-wide sampling plan and will be conducting more extensive sampling of the lake today [Thursday].
The Utah County Department of Health and Utah State Parks and Recreation are working with DWQ to monitor and assess the situation. A warning sign advising the public and their pets against recreating in the lake has been posted at the Provo Marina. The Utah County Health Department is waiting for sampling results before posting any additional advisories at the lake. The Utah County Emergency Manager contacted organizers for a triathlon scheduled for this weekend and suggested that they find another venue for their event.
