Piute Reservoir Algal Bloom Monitoring 2019

Report a Bloom

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

Call Utah Poison Control Center

Call the Poison Control Center

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

Update December 5, 2019

The Central Utah Public Health Department has removed the Warning Advisory for Piute Reservoir. Toxin test results received from the Utah Public Health Lab for samples collected by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) on November 19, 2019, at the Boat Ramp at Piute Reservoir were well below the recreation health-based threshold for a Warning Advisory.

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

  • Boat Ramp
  • Sample date: November 19, 2019
  • Sample type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
  • Microcystin: <0.20 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
  • Anatoxin-a: <0.10 µg/L

Update October 28, 2019

Piute Reservoir, October 19, 2019

Toxin test results received from the Utah Public Health Lab (UPHL) for samples collected by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) at Piute Reservoir on October 9, 2019, showed anatoxin-a and microcystin levels well 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.

Piute Reservoir remains under a Warning Advisory.

Data Summary

  • Sample date: October 9, 2019
  • Sample type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
  • Microcystin: <2.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
  • Anatoxin-a: <0.10 µg/L

Update September 16, 2019

Piute Reservoir. September 10, 2019

The Central Utah Public Health Department (CUPHD) issued a Warning Advisory for Piute Reservoir on September 16, 2019.

Toxin test results received from the Utah Public Health Lab (UPHL) for samples collected by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) at the Boat Ramp at Piute Reservoir on September 10, 2019, showed anatoxin-a levels exceeding the recreation health-based threshold for a Warning Advisory. Microcystin levels and cyanobacteria cell-count concentrations were well below the advisory threshold. Aphanizomenon was the primary taxon in the samples.

The DWQ monitoring crew observed visible cyanobacteria that resembled grass clippings in the reservoir. The cyanobacteria were consistent throughout the water column.

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

  • Sample type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
  • Sample date: September 10, 2019
  • Microcystin: <2.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
  • Anatoxin-a: 0.15 µg/L
  • Cyanobacteria cell counts: 1,660 cells per milliliter (cells/mL)