Utah is right in the middle of the hottest part of the year, with temperatures along the Wasatch Front creeping up over 100 degrees frequently. While all that summer heat might make you want to head to the nearest lake to cool off, you might want to avoid splashing around in Utah Lake.
Scientists from the Utah Department Of Environmental Quality monitor water quality in lakes throughout the state, taking samples from lakes to determine the levels of cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae in the water.
Utah Department Of Environmental Quality/Facebook
This algae blooms more rapidly as temperatures rise during Utah’s hottest weeks. Contact with the algae can cause skin irritation, rashes, nausea, diarrhea and headaches. Pets who come into contact with the algae can experience fatal side effects.
Suzanne Phillips/flickr
In June, scientists reported that they had found cyanobacteria in Utah Lake, but it was mostly confined to Provo Bay. The most recent tests this week found that the algae had grown considerably and is now affecting most of the lake west of Provo.
Jim Mullhaupt/flickr All the samples also contained anatoxin, which is a neuro toxin that is fatal if swallowed. Luckily, the levels of anatoxin are very low, so officials have not yet closed the lake to the public.
The Utah County Health Department recommends that people stay out of the water for now. While boating is still safe, swimming, waterskiing and tubing could cause problems. And of course, drinking the water (or accidentally swallowing it while swimming, for instance) could cause much more serious side effects.
Utah Department Of Environmental Quality/Facebook
Suzanne Phillips/flickr
Jim Mullhaupt/flickr
All the samples also contained anatoxin, which is a neuro toxin that is fatal if swallowed. Luckily, the levels of anatoxin are very low, so officials have not yet closed the lake to the public.
Take a look at this time-lapse video posted by The Salt Lake Tribune last year at this time. It shows how the algae grows and spreads in the lake during hot temperatures.
Keep tabs on what’s happening at Utah Lake by visiting the Utah County Health Department’s website.
Have you seen this year’s algae bloom at Utah Lake? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
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