See something? Don’t swim — Harmful algal bloom recorded at Deer Creek Reservoir
HEBER, Utah (ABC4) — Officials are warning visitors to avoid getting in the water in parts of Deer Creek Reservoir after recording harmful algal blooms in different areas.
According to the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, the Charleston Day-Use Area of Deer Creek is under a “Danger Advisory,” which is the highest of the three advisory levels.
READ NEXT: Water safety tips: ‘Life jackets only work if you wear them’
For the Charleston Day-Use Area, the DEQ said the algae is producing levels of toxins that are high enough to hurt — or even kill — a human or an animal if the water is swallowed.
“Any exposure to this water may cause illness,” the DEQ said in a Sept. 3 update.
Visitors to the area have been advised to not swim or water ski, and to avoid areas of algae if boating. Drinking the water is also discouraged, and animals should be kept away.
If fishing in the Charleston Day-Use Area, officials said to use caution.
Other warnings in Deer Creek
Another area of Deer Creek, the Wallsburg Day-Use Area, is under a “Warning Advisory,” with officials telling visitors not to swim or water ski, and to avoid areas of algae when boating.
Animals should also be kept away from the Wallsburg Area, and the water should not be consumed. As for fishing, the DEQ said to clean the fish well and discard the guts.
The DEQ also said other areas around the lake are seeing visible signs of harmful algae, which may be producing toxins that are dangerous for both humans and animals.
If visiting an area other than the Charleston or Wallsburg areas, visitors should still follow the warnings to keep animals away, not drink the water, and avoid areas of algae when swimming or boating.
What is a harmful algal bloom?
The DEQ explained that cyanobacteria — which is known as harmful algae but isn’t actually algae — naturally live in bodies of water around the world.
“A HAB, or harmful algal bloom, occurs when cyanobacteria multiply quickly to form a ‘bloom’ or visible colonies of millions of cells,” the DEQ said. “Sometimes the cyanobacteria that form these blooms can produce toxins which cause illness and can damage the human kidney, liver, or neurologic system.”
If you are unsure of how to identify a harmful algal bloom, the DEQ has photos online showing the different types of blooms. Exposure to HABs can lead to skin irritation, gastrointestinal illness, and sometimes death, the DEQ said.
If you come into contact with a harmful algal bloom, you should remove yourself from the “source of exposure” and call the Utah Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
