How Cyanobacteria is Affecting Us
Recent articles that show the serious concern with our local water & the local closures that were put in place for safety reasons.
Utah Lake Commission works on solving algal blooms, attracting more visitors:
https://universe.byu.edu/2019/06/11/utah-lake-commission-looking-to-solve-algal-blooms-attract-more-visitors/
Utah Dept of Health has some info sheets on Cyanobacteria:
http://health.utah.gov/epi/diseases/blue_green_algae/
Utah.gov Sept 2019 reports on water quality info:
https://deq.utah.gov/water-quality/utah-lake-algal-bloom-monitoring-2019
KSL news article on Utah lake closures this 2019 summer & lifted advisory:
https://www.ksl.com/article/46591165/provo-bays-algal-bloom-advisory-lifted-after-3-weeks
Permanent warning signs about Algae Blooms posted at Utah Lake:
https://www.sltrib.com/news/2019/06/25/permanent-warnings-about/
Article with all the major water affected by Algae Blooms in Utah:
https://kutv.com/news/local/starvation-reservoir-joins-a-dozen-other-utah-bodies-of-water-with-harmful-algal-bloom
Article that explains nutrient pollution that adds to the problem:
https://deq.utah.gov/water-quality/nutrients
Sept 2019 State warns against swimming, drinking...Utah Lake :
https://ksltv.com/421301/state-warns-against-swimming-drinking-water-at-utah-lake/
Utah Lake Commission works on solving algal blooms, attracting more visitors:
https://universe.byu.edu/2019/06/11/utah-lake-commission-looking-to-solve-algal-blooms-attract-more-visitors/
Utah Dept of Health has some info sheets on Cyanobacteria:
http://health.utah.gov/epi/diseases/blue_green_algae/
Utah.gov Sept 2019 reports on water quality info:
https://deq.utah.gov/water-quality/utah-lake-algal-bloom-monitoring-2019
KSL news article on Utah lake closures this 2019 summer & lifted advisory:
https://www.ksl.com/article/46591165/provo-bays-algal-bloom-advisory-lifted-after-3-weeks
Permanent warning signs about Algae Blooms posted at Utah Lake:
https://www.sltrib.com/news/2019/06/25/permanent-warnings-about/
Article with all the major water affected by Algae Blooms in Utah:
https://kutv.com/news/local/starvation-reservoir-joins-a-dozen-other-utah-bodies-of-water-with-harmful-algal-bloom
Article that explains nutrient pollution that adds to the problem:
https://deq.utah.gov/water-quality/nutrients
Sept 2019 State warns against swimming, drinking...Utah Lake :
https://ksltv.com/421301/state-warns-against-swimming-drinking-water-at-utah-lake/
How to Identify Cyanobacteria in Our Lakes & Water
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Cyanobacteria is usually quite easy to identify, as it most often gives off a vibrant green hue in the water. If you see an abundance of green coloring that is not normally in that body of water, stay out:
it is most likely contaminated and not safe to be in. As you can see in the pictures to the left, cyanobacteria--which ultimately leads to algae blooms--is evident when looking at any body of water that may be housing these microorganisms. |
Potential Health Impacts
There have been numerous potential health issues reported from exposure, including skin rash, asthma exacerbation,
gastrointestinal illness, liver damage, possible neurological issues, and more.
However, in extreme circumstances, there have been wildlife fatalities due solely to cyanobacteria in our bodies of water.
gastrointestinal illness, liver damage, possible neurological issues, and more.
However, in extreme circumstances, there have been wildlife fatalities due solely to cyanobacteria in our bodies of water.
How to Stay Safe
Be aware of your surroundings and stay up to date on the health and quality of your local bodies of water.
The best way to avoid a problem is to be aware and know the severity of the issue before it is too late.
The best way to avoid a problem is to be aware and know the severity of the issue before it is too late.
Swirling Plankton, variant by Stuart Rankin is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
Algae Bloom by jennette cross is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Edited 184 by Petra Bensted is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Heatwave causing algae bloom in the Spree by Lars Plougmann is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Algae Bloom by jennette cross is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Edited 184 by Petra Bensted is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Heatwave causing algae bloom in the Spree by Lars Plougmann is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0