Utah waterbodies remain under watch or warning advisories for harmful algae, and with waterfowl hunting season kicking off, officials are encouraging hunters to be prepared to recognize and avoid Harmful Algal Blooms. As of Thursday, the state had 27 waterbodies under watch and warning advisories with two of those in northeastern Utah.
Matt Warner Reservoir and Calder Reservoir remain under Warning Advisories that state that a Harmful Algal Bloom is present. The Advisory was only issued a month ago on August 19th. While hunters should be extra careful around these two waterbodies, that does not mean hunters are safe everywhere else. Rather, it’s important to know what to look for as blooms can form in other waterbodies that haven’t been detected yet. The Division of Wildlife Resources shares that “blooms form when naturally occurring cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, multiply to high densities and form visible water discoloration, scum and mats. Harmful algal blooms can look like pea soup, spilled paint, grass clippings or water that has a green or blue-green hue. If you suspect a harmful algal bloom in the water or algae mats along the edge of the water or in wetlands, stay out of the water and avoid any contact with water or scum…Hunters should also keep their dogs away if they suspect a harmful algal bloom as the toxins have proven to be fatal in pets.” For more information, visit deq.utah.gov.
Photos: Matt Warner Reservoir and Calder Reservoir from DWR