Utah People's Post

The Latest News from the Beehive State

Thursday, March 23, 2023
Log in
  • National News
    • Female Caseworker Killed & Doctor Shot in Philadelphia
  • State News
    • Car Chase Leads to Drug Arrest
  • Tech & Science
  • Health
    • How to Prepare For Ticks Season
    • Magical Weight Loss Bean Scam
  • Sports
  • Business
You are here: Home / State News / Toxic Algae Bloom Prompts Utah Lake Closure

Toxic Algae Bloom Prompts Utah Lake Closure

July 17, 2016 Posted by Nathaniel Hooper

Aerial view of Utah LakeOn Friday, authorities closed Utah lake due to a toxic algae bloom that has turned it into a health hazard overnight. Public health officials warn that the algae release  dangerous chemicals which could lead to brain and liver damage in humans and animals.

Swimming in the lake is now strictly forbidden.

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality has tested the waters and found that the level of algae is thrice the amount considered safe. Joseph Miner of the Utah Department of Health said that the hepatotoxins and neurotoxins produced by the tiny plants can affect the nervous system and impair liver function.

Satellite imagery revealed Tuesday that the bloom has taken over about 90 percent of the lake. Scot Chipman, head of the Utah Water Ski Club, said he saw many algae bloom in his 30-year-long career but none of them were as severe as the one currently infesting the main lake.

Chipman added that he had been on the lake on Sunday and noticed nothing unusual. But on Tuesday, the bloom exploded. It was so thick that his boat could barely advance, had a bluish hue, and a “horrid” smell.

The man hadn’t seen a toxic algae bloom before, but his gut feeling told him that the algae were trouble from the way they looked and smelled.

Authorities started collecting water samples Wednesday. Experts at Utah Department of Environmental Quality cautioned that the lake waters bear neurotoxins even though algae may not be visible to the naked eye.

Authorities explained that the dangerous toxins can outlive algae for several days. Though it is normal to have some algae in a freshwater sources, algal blooms are dangerous. According to a statement released by the department, algal blooms can become a perfect environment for blue-green algae to thrive.

These “algae” are in fact a class of bacteria scientifically dubbed cyanobacteria which release toxins that can sicken wildlife, humans, livestock and fish. If a human is cyanotoxin poisoned he or she can be affected by nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, headaches, stomach pain and even allergies if there was skin contact with the bacteria.

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food urge farmers not to use water from the lake to irrigate their crops or water livestock until new lab tests will prove that the water is safe to use.
Image Source: Pixabay

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email

Filed Under: State News Tagged With: cyanobacteria, toxic algae bloom, utah, Utah Lake, Utah lake lagae bloom

Woman working out at the gym

Just 23% of Americans Are Working Out Enough in Their Spare Time

June 29, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

Poliovirus Therapy Gives Brain Cancer Patients New Hope (Study)

June 29, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

United Airlines airplane

Passenger Mysteriously Dies on United Airlines flight Bound for Boston

June 28, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

Breakfast sandwich

Here Are Some Foods No Nutritionist Would Ever Eat

June 27, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

Poppy flower

UN Warns of Surge in Opium-based Drugs and Cocaine Supply

June 27, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

U.S.-Canada border

French Jogger Detained 2 Weeks for Accidentally Crossing Border

June 26, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

Plus size model

Normalizing Plus Size Could Fuel Obesity Crisis (Study)

June 25, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

Giant manta ray

Unique Manta Ray Nursery Spotted off Texas Coast

June 23, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

The rainbow flag

WHO Scraps Transgenderism from List of Mental Illnesses

June 22, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

456 People Dead at U.K. Hospital after Taking too Many Painkillers

June 21, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

Kenyan girls dancing

Kenyans Facing Poor Nutrition as Supermarket Shopping Is on the Rise

June 20, 2018 By Amelia Donovan

Pages

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy GDPR
  • Staff
  • Terms and Conditions

Recent Posts

  • Just 23% of Americans Are Working Out Enough in Their Spare Time
  • Poliovirus Therapy Gives Brain Cancer Patients New Hope (Study)
  • Passenger Mysteriously Dies on United Airlines flight Bound for Boston
  • Here Are Some Foods No Nutritionist Would Ever Eat
  • UN Warns of Surge in Opium-based Drugs and Cocaine Supply
  • French Jogger Detained 2 Weeks for Accidentally Crossing Border
  • Normalizing Plus Size Could Fuel Obesity Crisis (Study)

Related Articles

  • Crime scene tape

    Utah Dad Charged after Toddler Fatally Shoots Self in Head

    Jun 8, 2018
  • School Bus

    Portsmouth Child Rushed to The Hospital After Being Hit by a School Bus

    Apr 1, 2017
  • Where's Waldo

    Construction Worker Entertains Hospitalized Kids With Giant Waldo

    Jul 21, 2016
  • Mosquito biting

    Second Zika-related Death in U.S. Confirmed in Utah

    Jul 10, 2016
  • alt="gay couple in alabama"

    Alabama Could Say ‘Yes’ to Gay Marriages

    May 23, 2015
  • Marco Rubio Announces His Approach to Foreign Policy

    Marco Rubio Announces His Approach to Foreign Policy and Attacks Hillary Clinton

    May 14, 2015
  • NY Inhabitants Express Concern after The Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant Explosion

    May 11, 2015
  • Salt Lake City Police Chief ’s Hazy Connections with Body-Camera Maker

    Mar 3, 2015
  • Utah State Air Quality Has Significantly Improved in 2014

    Jan 2, 2015
  • Utah’s Abortion Rate Has Dropped To The Lowermost Level

    Utah’s Abortion Rate Has Dropped To The Lowermost Level

    Dec 29, 2014

Categories

  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • National News
  • Nature
  • Provo
  • Salt Lake News
  • Science
  • Sports
  • State News
  • Tech & Science
  • Technology
  • Uncategorized
  • West Jordan
  • West Valley City
  • World

Copyright © 2023 utahpeoplespost.com

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Site Map · Contact