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.
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Updates
November 1, 2025: Recreational water quality monitoring update
Recreational water quality monitoring has ended for the season. Monitoring will resume in June or July 2026. Harmful algal blooms can occur year-round, so know what to look for and always check before recreating.
September 10, 2025: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring update
GOOD NEWS: Our monitoring team did not see any visible signs of a harmful algal bloom. Learn more about harmful algal blooms.
Sites visited: Big East Lake, McClellan Lake, Box Lake
August 11, 2025: Waterborne pathogen (E. coli) and HAB monitoring update
GOOD NEWS: E. coli counts were measured below recreational thresholds and our monitoring team did not see any visible signs of a harmful algal bloom.
Sites sampled: Big East Lake, McClellan Lake, Box Lake
July 31, 2025: Waterborne pathogen (E. coli) and HAB monitoring update
GOOD NEWS: E. coli counts were measured below recreational thresholds and our monitoring team did not see any visible signs of a harmful algal bloom.
Sites sampled: Big East Lake, McClellan Lake, Box Lake
July 10, 2025: Waterborne pathogen (E. coli) and HAB monitoring update
GOOD NEWS: E. coli counts were measured below recreational thresholds and our monitoring team did not see any visible signs of a harmful algal bloom.
Sites sampled: Big East Lake, McClellan Lake, Box Lake
June 10, 2025: Waterborne pathogen (E. coli) and HAB monitoring update
GOOD NEWS: E. coli counts were measured below recreational thresholds and our monitoring team did not see any visible signs of a harmful algal bloom.
Sites sampled: Big East Lake, McClellan Lake, Box Lake