Payson Lakes consists of Big East Reservoir, Box Lake, and McClellan Lake and is located about 12 miles south of Payson in Utah County. DEQ’s recreational water quality monitoring checks for two health concerns: Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and Waterborne Pathogens (E. coli). Find the most recent monitoring information below.
Related Links
Updates
November 8, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
Recreational water quality monitoring has ended for the season. Monitoring will resume in summer 2025. A harmful algal bloom may still be present at these waterbodies. Know what to look for and check before recreating.
Big East Lake
Warning Advisory
October 7, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: A harmful algal bloom is present at Big East Lake. Algae in the water is producing dangerous toxins that can make humans and animals sick.
Utah County Health Department has issued a WARNING ADVISORY.
If you visit Big East Lake:
- Do not swim or water ski
- Avoid areas of algae when boating
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Keep animals away
- Don’t drink the water
- Know how to recognize a harmful algal bloom
McClellan Lake:
Looks Good
October 7, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
GOOD NEWS: Harmful algae mats were not observed at McClellan Lake. Conditions can change quickly, so know how to recognize a harmful algal bloom and always check before recreating.
Big East Lake
Warning Advisory
September 13, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: A harmful algal bloom is present at Big East Lake. Algae in the water may be producing dangerous toxins that can make humans and animals sick.
Utah County Health Department has issued a WARNING ADVISORY.
If you visit Big East Lake:
- Do not swim or water ski
- Avoid areas of algae when boating
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Keep animals away
- Don’t drink the water
- Know how to recognize a harmful algal bloom
Big East Lake
Health Watch
September 9, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: A harmful algal bloom is present at Big East Lake. Algae in the water is producing high levels of dangerous toxins.
If you visit Big East Lake we recommend:
- Do not swim or water ski in areas of algae
- Avoid areas of algae when boating
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Keep animals away
- Don’t drink the water
- Know how to recognize a harmful algal bloom
McClellan Lake:
Health Watch
September 9, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: Harmful algae mats are still present in some areas of McClellan Lake. Brown and green mats were observed accumulating along the shoreline. These mats may be producing toxins that can hurt humans and animals.
If you visit McClellan Lake, we recommend:
- Do not swim or play in areas with floating algae mats
- Keep animals away
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Don’t drink the water
Box Lake:
Looks Good
September 9, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
GOOD NEWS: A harmful algal bloom was not observed at Box Lake. Conditions can change quickly, so know how to recognize a harmful algal bloom and always check before recreating.
Big East Lake
Health Watch
September 4, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: Visible signs of a harmful algal bloom are present at Big East Lake. Algae in the water may be producing dangerous toxins.
If you visit Big East Lake we recommend:
- Do not swim or water ski in areas of algae
- Avoid areas of algae when boating
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Keep animals away
- Don’t drink the water
- Know how to recognize a harmful algal bloom
McClellan Lake:
Health Watch
August 9, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: Harmful algae mats are still present in some areas of McClellan Lake. Brown and green mats were observed accumulating along the shoreline. These mats may be producing toxins that can hurt humans and animals.
If you visit McClellan Lake, we recommend:
- Do not swim or play in areas with floating algae mats
- Keep animals away
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Don’t drink the water
Box Lake:
Looks Good
August 9, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
GOOD NEWS: Two weeks of sampling indicate that a harmful algal bloom is no longer present at Box Lake or Big East Lake. Conditions can change quickly, so know how to recognize a harmful algal bloom and always check before recreating.
Box Lake:
Warning Advisory
July 29, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: A harmful algal bloom is present at Box Lake. Algae in the water may be producing dangerous toxins that can make humans and animals sick.
Utah County Health Department has issued a WARNING ADVISORY for Box Lake.
If you visit Box Lake:
- Do not swim or water ski
- Avoid areas of algae when boating
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Keep animals away
- Don’t drink the water
- Know how to recognize a harmful algal bloom
McClellan Lake:
Health Watch
July 29, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: Sampling results confirmed the presence of harmful algae mats at McClellan Lake. Brown and green mats were observed accumulating along the shoreline. These mats may be producing toxins that can hurt humans and animals.
If you visit McClellan Lake, we recommend:
- Do not swim or play in areas with floating algae mats
- Keep animals away
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Don’t drink the water
Big East Lake:
Warning Advisory
July 29, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: A harmful algal bloom is present at Big East Lake. Algae in the water may be producing dangerous toxins that can make humans and animals sick.
Utah County Health Department has issued a WARNING ADVISORY for Big East Lake.
If you visit Big East Lake:
- Do not swim or water ski
- Avoid areas of algae when boating
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Keep animals away
- Don’t drink the water
- Know how to recognize a harmful algal bloom
Box Lake:
Warning Advisory
July 15, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: A harmful algal bloom is present at Box Lake. Algae in the water may be producing dangerous toxins that can make humans and animals sick.
Utah County Health Department has issued a WARNING ADVISORY for Box Lake.
If you visit Box Lake:
- Do not swim or water ski
- Avoid areas of algae when boating
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Keep animals away
- Don’t drink the water
- Know how to recognize a harmful algal bloom
McClellan Lake:
Health Watch
July 12, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: Sampling results confirmed the presence of harmful algae mats at McClellan Lake. Brown and green mats were observed accumulating along the shoreline. These mats may be producing toxins that can hurt humans and animals.
If you visit McClellan Lake, we recommend:
- Do not swim or play in areas with floating algae mats
- Keep animals away
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Don’t drink the water
Big East Lake:
Warning Advisory
July 15, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: A harmful algal bloom is present at Big East Lake. Algae in the water may be producing dangerous toxins that can make humans and animals sick.
Utah County Health Department has issued a WARNING ADVISORY for Big East Lake.
If you visit Big East Lake:
- Do not swim or water ski
- Avoid areas of algae when boating
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Keep animals away
- Don’t drink the water
- Know how to recognize a harmful algal bloom
Box Lake:
Health Watch
July 12, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: Visible signs of a harmful algal bloom are present at Box Lake. Algae in the water may be producing dangerous toxins.
If you visit Box Lake we recommend:
- Do not swim or water ski in areas of algae
- Avoid areas of algae when boating
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Keep animals away
- Don’t drink the water
- Know how to recognize a harmful algal bloom
McClellan Lake:
Health Watch
July 12, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: Sampling results confirmed the presence of harmful algae mats at McClellan Lake. Brown and green mats were observed accumulating along the shoreline. These mats may be producing toxins that can hurt humans and animals.
If you visit McClellan Lake, we recommend:
- Do not swim or play in areas with floating algae mats
- Keep animals away
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Don’t drink the water
Big East Lake:
Warning Advisory
July 12, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: A harmful algal bloom is present at Big East Lake. Algae in the water may be producing dangerous toxins that can make humans and animals sick.
Utah County Health Department has issued a WARNING ADVISORY for Big East Lake.
If you visit Big East Lake:
- Do not swim or water ski
- Avoid areas of algae when boating
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Keep animals away
- Don’t drink the water
- Know how to recognize a harmful algal bloom
Box Lake:
Health Watch
July 10, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: Visible signs of a harmful algal bloom are present at Box Lake. Algae in the water may be producing dangerous toxins.
If you visit Box Lake we recommend:
- Do not swim or water ski in areas of algae
- Avoid areas of algae when boating
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Keep animals away
- Don’t drink the water
- Know how to recognize a harmful algal bloom
McClellan Lake:
Health Watch
July 10, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: Sampling results confirmed the presence of harmful algae mats at McClellan Lake. Brown and green mats were observed accumulating along the shoreline. These mats may be producing toxins that can hurt humans and animals.
If you visit McClellan Lake, we recommend:
- Do not swim or play in areas with floating algae mats
- Keep animals away
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Don’t drink the water
- Know how to recognize a harmful algal bloom
Big East Lake:
Health Watch
July 10, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: Visible signs of a harmful algal bloom are present at Big East Lake. Algae in the water may be producing dangerous toxins.
If you visit Big East Lake we recommend:
- Do not swim or water ski in areas of algae
- Avoid areas of algae when boating
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Keep animals away
- Don’t drink the water
- Know how to recognize a harmful algal bloom
Box Lake:
Health Watch
June 27, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: Visible signs of a harmful algal bloom are present at Box Lake. Algae in the water may be producing dangerous toxins.
If you visit Box Lake we recommend:
- Do not swim or water ski in areas of algae
- Avoid areas of algae when boating
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Keep animals away
- Don’t drink the water
- Know how to recognize a harmful algal bloom
McClellan Lake:
Health Watch
June 19, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: Sampling results confirmed the presence of harmful algae mats at McClellan Lake. Brown and green mats were observed accumulating along the shoreline. These mats may be producing toxins that can hurt humans and animals.
If you visit McClellan Lake, we recommend:
- Do not swim or play in areas with floating algae mats
- Keep animals away
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Don’t drink the water
- Know how to recognize a harmful algal bloom
Big East Lake:
Looks Good
June 19, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
GOOD NEWS: Our monitoring team did not see any visible signs of a harmful algal bloom at Big East Lake.
McClellan Lake:
Health Watch
June 19, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: Sampling results confirmed the presence of harmful algae mats at McClellan Lake. Brown and green mats were observed accumulating along the shoreline. These mats may be producing toxins that can hurt humans and animals.
If you visit McClellan Lake, we recommend:
- Do not swim or play in areas with floating algae mats
- Keep animals away
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Don’t drink the water
- Know how to recognize a harmful algal bloom
Box Lake & Big East Lake:
Looks Good
June 19, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
K, but be careful: Sampling results indicated low amounts of harmful algae were present in Box Lake. Know how to recognize a harmful algal bloom and avoid playing or swimming in areas of visible algae.
GOOD NEWS: No harmful algae was observed at Big East Lake.
Box Lake:
Health Watch
June 17, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
BE CAREFUL: Our monitoring team saw visible signs of a harmful algal bloom at Box Lake. There could be algae in the water producing dangerous toxins. We collected samples and results are pending. Check back here for updates.
In the meantime we recommend:
- Do not swim or water ski in areas of algae
- Avoid areas of algae when boating
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Keep animals away
- Don’t drink the water
- Know how to recognize a harmful algal bloom
Big East Lake & McClellan Lake:
Looks Good
June 17, 2024: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
OK, but be careful: Our monitoring team did not see any visible signs of a harmful algal bloom. However, harmful algae mats may be present at McClellan Lake. Learn more about harmful algal blooms and know how to recognize harmful algae mats. Dogs and children should be kept away from algae mats!
Site visited: By East Lake at NW picnic area, Box Lake near center