Harmful algae blooms warning for Jordan River, Utah Lake

SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — Officials are warning the community after harmful algal blooms were detected in Utah Lake and some parts of the Jordan river.

According to the Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCoHD), the algal blooms have been identified from the Southern line on the Jordan River to approximately 9000 South. Blooms have also been identified in canals as far north as 3000 South.

The Utah Lake Authority said according to data received from the Utah Division of Water Quality, there is a lakewide harmful algal bloom.

While no water bodies have been closed, officials are asking those recreating near them to be cautious. Teams within SLCoHD and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) say they will be monitoring the Jordan River for any changes.

In the meantime, health officials advise the public to follow several precautions like:

• Kayaking is permitted but avoid contact with visible algae
• Do not swim in the river or canals
• Clean fish thoroughly and discard guts
• Keep pets and animals away from the water
• Do not drink the water

So far this year, similar warnings have been issued for Mantua Reservoir, Zion National Park and Baker Reservoir

What are harmful algae?

Also known as blue-green algae, DEQ said the blooms are not actually algae at all. It is an aquatic bacterium known as Cyanobacteria that photosynthesizes like a plant.

Officials say these harmful blooms occur naturally in bodies of water all over the world, particularly when nutrient levels are high, there is abundant sunlight, warm temperatures and stagnant waters.

If the conditions are right for several days or even months, cyanobacteria can multiply and form large blooms that can cover an entire lake. Blooms generally die and disappear after about a week or two, according to the DEQ, but toxins can linger for days after a bloom dissipates.

How harmful are harmful algae?

Harmful algal blooms can cause irritations and illnesses if you come into contact with them. In the worst cases, harmful blooms have been known to cause permanent organ damage or even death.

Humans and pets that come into contact with harmful algal blooms can experience irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, throat and respiratory systems. Accidental ingestion of harmful algae can lead to abdominal pain, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney or liver damage and neurological symptoms.

If your pet has been exposed to harmful algal blooms, the DEQ advises looking for symptoms such as excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, stumbling or muscle tremors, loss of appetite, rashes, difficulty breathing and in serious cases, seizures or paralysis.

DEQ said if you or your pet comes into contact with a harmful algal bloom, rinse off with clean fresh water as soon as possible and remove yourself from the source. You are also encouraged to call the Utah Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222, as experts trained in toxicology can answer any questions and advise you on medical or veterinary treatment.

To stay up to date on the latest reports of harmful algal blooms in Utah’s bodies of water, visit the Department of Environmental Quality website here.