Category: Water Quality

  • Cooperative Monitoring Program

    The Cooperative Monitoring Program is intended to enhance DWQ’s water quality monitoring program by extending its capabilities to monitor waters of the state. Agency partners include state, local, and federal agencies that also have responsibilities of protecting surface water quality. By sharing costs of sample collection and laboratory analysis, DWQ and agency partners are able…

  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls Contaminant: Utah Fish Advisories

    Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic organic chemicals comprising 209 individual chlorinated biphenyl compounds (known as congeners). Exposure to each of these compounds is associated with different levels of risk for harmful effects. There are no known natural sources of PCBs. Although PCBs are no longer manufactured in the United States, people can still be exposed…

  • Mercury Advisory for Women and Children: Utah Fish Advisories

    What you need to know about mercury in fish and shellfish; advice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to: Women Who Might Become Pregnant Women Who are Pregnant Nursing Mothers Young Children Nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury. For most people, the risk from mercury…

  • Arsenic Contaminant: Utah Fish Advisories

    Arsenic is a naturally occurring element widely distributed in the earth’s crust. In the environment, arsenic is combined with oxygen, chlorine, and sulfur to form inorganic arsenic compounds. Arsenic in animals and plants combines with carbon and hydrogen to form organic arsenic compounds. Inorganic arsenic compounds are mainly used to preserve wood. Copper chromated arsenic…

  • By Contaminant: Utah Fish Advisories

    Arsenic Silver Creek (Summit County) Brown Trout Rainbow Trout Splake Trout All Trout Species Mercury Causey Reservoir (Weber County) Brown Trout Big Sand Wash Reservoir (Duchesne County) Smallmouth Bass Yellow Perch Walleye Brough Reservoir (Uintah County) Brown Trout Rainbow Trout Calf Creek (Garfield County) Brown Trout Desolation Canyon (Green River; Carbon County) Catfish Duchesne River…

  • Frequently Asked Questions: Utah Fish Advisories

    Why should I eat fish? Eat Fish, Choose Wisely. Fish is an excellent low-fat food and a great source of protein, vitamins and minerals. Fish contain omega-3 fatty acids and oils that are hard to get from other types of food. Eating fish can help children develop properly and even boost the health of adults.…

  • Health Risks: Utah Fish Advisories

    Fish are healthful foods that provide a diet high in protein and low in saturated fat. Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids in fish may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Fish also provide a good source of vitamins and minerals. Fishing is a fun and relaxing outdoor activity that you can…

  • Utah Fish Advisories

    Eat fish, choose wisely Some fish from specific areas in Utah may contain chemicals that could pose health risks. When contaminant levels are unsafe, Utah Public Health Officials issue fish consumption advisories. These advisories outline recommendations for limiting intake of specific fish at specific locations. Fish advisories have been issued in Utah due to elevated…

  • Frequently Asked Questions: Utah Waterfowl Advisories

    Why do we have waterfowl advisories? In 2005, duck consumption advisories were issued for Common Goldeneye, Cinnamon Teal, and Northern Shoveler ducks from the Great Salt Lake due to mercury contamination. Based on high mercury levels in Common Goldeneye, Cinnamon Teal, and Northern Shoveler ducks, a consumption advisory was issued by the Utah Department of…

  • Map: Utah Waterfowl Advisories

  • Health Risks: Utah Waterfowl Advisories

    Safe Eating Guideline for Utah Waterfowl * A 4 oz. serving is about the size of one deck of playing cards. Great Salt Lake Marshes (Salt Lake, Davis, and Weber Counties) Species Contaminant Pregnant Women and Children Adults Common Goldeneye Mercury 04-oz. meal/month 1 8-oz. meal/month Cinnamon Teal Mercury 1 4-oz. meal/month 2 8-oz. meal/month…

  • Utah Waterfowl Advisories

    Introduction In 2022, in cooperation with the Division of Wildlife Resources, DWQ obtained tissue samples from 16 species of waterfowl from wetland areas adjacent to Great Salt Lake which included the Salt Creek Public Shooting Grounds, Ogden Bay, Farmington Bay, and Harold Crane Wildlife Management Areas. This effort was intended to update waterfowl consumption advisories…

  • Great Salt Lake Advisory Council

    Background Great Salt Lake is of hemispheric importance as both a refueling stop for millions of migratory birds and a nesting area for others. Eighty percent of Utah’s wetlands surround the lake. The mineral extraction industry, duck hunting clubs, and the brine shrimp industry are dependent on the vitality of the lake. Nature enthusiasts flock…

  • HB 343 Great Salt Lake Advisory Council

    Great Salt Lake Advisory Council 2010 General Session State of Utah General Description This bill enacts the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council Act to create the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council and address related issues. Highlighted Provisions This bill: defines terms; creates the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council; requires designated departments to provide staffing; and…

  • Meetings: Great Salt Lake Advisory Council

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  • Great Salt Lake Advisory Council Activities

    Great Salt Lake Water Conservation Toolbox The Great Salt Lake Advisory Council, with support from SWCA Environmental Consultants and WSP Consultants, have developed this Water Conservation Toolbox, which is grounded in lessons learned and known constraints facing Utah’s municipalities. The purpose of this toolbox is to provide municipalities and other local governments with the information…

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