Panguitch Lake Algal Bloom Monitoring 2019

Report a Bloom

24-Hour DEQ Environment Incidents Line: (801) 536-4123

Call Utah Poison Control Center

If you believe you or your pet have been exposed to a harmful algal bloom, call (800) 222-1222.

Update November 12, 2019

The Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SUPHD) has removed the Warning Advisory for Panguitch Lake. Toxin test results from the Utah Public Health Lab (UPHL) for samples collected by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) on October 24, 2019, at the North Boat Ramp at Panguitch Lake were well below the recreation health-based threshold for a Warning Advisory for anatoxin-a and microcystin.

The HABs monitoring season ended on October 31, 2019. The Utah Department of Health and local health departments have determined that the health risk from HABs from primary contact recreation drops with the onset of colder temperatures.

The close of the monitoring season and removal of advisories doesn’t mean HABs are no longer present. HABs can persist throughout the fall and winter and can pose a potential threat to humans and pets. It’s important to recognize the signs of a bloom and take appropriate precautions. Recreators are advised to stay out of the water and avoid any contact with water or scum if they suspect a harmful algal bloom. Hunters and fishers should clean waterfowl and fish well and discard all guts.”

Data Summary

North Boat Ramp

• Sample date: October 24, 2019
• Sample Type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
• Microcystin: <2.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
• Anatoxin-a: <0.10 µg/L

Update October 29, 2019

Toxin test results received from the Utah Public Health Lab (UPHL) for samples collected by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) at Panguitch Lake on October 10, 2019, showed anatoxin-a and microcystin levels below the recreation health-based threshold for a Warning Advisory. Cyanobacteria cell-count concentration results are pending from PhycoTech.

A Warning Advisory indicates a moderate relative probability of acute health risk, cell-count density of 20,000 – 10 million cells per milliliter (cells/ml), microcystin levels of 4-2,000 micrograms per liter (µg/L), or anatoxin-a levels above non-detect.

Panguitch Lake remains under a Warning Advisory.

Data Summary

• Sample date: October 10, 2019
• Sample type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
• Microcystin: 2.06 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
• Anatoxin-a: <0.10 µg/L

Update October 2, 2019

The Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SUPHD) issued a Warning Advisory for Panguitch Lake on October 1, 2019, after lab results from samples collected by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) on September 25, 2019, showed cyanobacteria cell-count concentrations exceeding the recreation health-based threshold at three of the four sample locations.

The DWQ monitoring crew observed isolated clumps and spherical nodules seen in the water column. Some of the cyanobacteria had formed into mats with dried, electric-blue cyanobacteria on the surface. Some of the water was milky. The area with the highest visual accumulation of cyanobacteria was at the northeast shore.

A Warning Advisory indicates a moderate relative probability of acute health risk, cell-count density of 20,000 – 10 million cells per milliliter (cells/ml), microcystin levels of 4-2,000 micrograms per liter (µg/L), or anatoxin-a levels above non-detect.

Data Summary

Southeast Boat Ramp

Sample type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
Cyanobacteria cell counts: 25,305 cells per milliliter (cell/mL)

Northeast Shore

Sample type: Surface sample
Cyanobacteria cell counts: 5,216,353 cells per milliliter (cells/mL)

Northeast Shore

Sample type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
Cyanobacteria cell counts: 820,539 cells per milliliter (cells/mL)

White Bridge (Outlet Stream)

Sample type: Elbow-depth composite sample
Cyanobacteria cell counts: 751 cells per milliliter (cells/mL)

Update September 27, 2019

The Divison of Water Quality observed a bloom on Panguitch Lake on September 25, 2019, during routine sampling. Satellite imagery also indicated a bloom on the lake. The monitoring crew collected samples at the Southeast Boat Ramp, Northeast Shore, and White Bridge Outlet Stream. Toxin test results received on September 27, 2019, were below the threshold for a health advisory. Cyanobacteria cell-count concentrations are pending from PhycoTech.

Data Summary

Southeast Boat Ramp

Sample type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
Microcystin: <2.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
Anatoxin-a: <0.10 µg/L

Northeast Shore

Sample type: Surface sample
Microcystin: <2.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
Anatoxin-a: <0.10 µg/L

Northeast Shore

Sample type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
Microcystin: 2 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
Anatoxin-a: <0.10 µg/L

White Bridge (Outlet Stream)

Sample type: Elbow-depth composite sample
Microcystin: <2.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
Anatoxin-a: <0.10 µg/L