As of September 15th there are 21 waterbodies under Harmful Algal Bloom watch and warning advisories across Utah. While the Utah Division of Water Quality will stop monitoring as temperatures decrease, harmful algal blooms can still persist throughout the fall and winter. “By the end of October, many active advisories will be lifted, warning signs posted at waterbodies will start to come down, and website updates on HABs.utah.gov will stop,” shares Water Quality Environmental Scientist Dr. Hannah Bonner. “However, it’s essential to know that these blooms can continue in colder weather. People should know what to look for, and when in doubt, keep your pets and hunting dogs out of the water.” In Northeastern Utah, Matt Warner and Calder Reservoir remain under a Harmful Algal Bloom Warning Advisory. This means harmful algal bloom is present and the algae in the water may be producing dangerous toxins that can make humans and animals sick. Do not drink the water. Do not swim, wade, or jet/water ski. Keep dogs out of the water. Do not paddle in areas of algae. Fishing is okay but discard skin and guts. Boating is okay. Learn more at deq.utah.gov.
