Strawberry Reservoir 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 8, 2019

The Wasatch County Health Department (WCHD) has removed the Warning Advisory on Strawberry Reservoir. Toxin test results received from the Utah Public Health Lab (UPHL) for samples collected by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) on October 24, 2019, at the Narrows on Strawberry Reservoir showed microcystin levels well below the recreation health-based threshold for a Warning Advisory. Anatoxin-a levels in the water column samples, however, exceeded the recreation health-based threshold for a Warning Advisory.

The close of the monitoring season and removal of advisories doesn’t mean HABs are no longer present, but rather that monitoring data won’t be collected during the colder months to verify their presence. HABs can persist throughout the fall and winter and can pose a potential threat to humans and pets. It’s important for recreators 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

Narrows

• Sample date: October 24, 2019
• Sample type: Surface sample
• Microcystin: <2.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
• Anatoxin-a: <0.10 µg/L

Narrows

• Sample date: October 24, 2019
• Sample type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
• Microcystin: <2.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
• Anatoxin-a: 0.12 µg/L

Update October 30, 2019

Toxin test results from the Utah Public Health Lab (UPHL) for samples collected by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) on October 14, 2019, at the north shore at Strawberry Reservoir exceeded the recreation health-based threshold for a Warning Advisory for anatoxin-a. Microcystin levels were well below the advisory threshold. Cyanobacteria cell-count concentrations 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.

The Warning Advisory remains in place.

Data Summary

North Shore (ladders)

• Sample date: October 14, 2019
• Sample Type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
• Microcystin: <2.0 (µg/L)
• Anatoxin-a: 0.11 µg/L

Update October 11, 2019

The Wasatch County Health Department (WCHD) issued a lakewide Warning Advisory on October 11, 2019, for Strawberry Reservoir after toxin test results from samples collected on October 7, 2019, by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ), exceeded the recreation health-based threshold for anatoxin-a at one sample site. Cyanobacteria cell-count concentration results are pending from PhycoTech, but satellite imagery indicates a lakewide bloom. Warning signs are being posted at all access points on the reservoir.

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

North Near Island

• Sample date: October 7, 2019
• Sample type: Surface sample
• Microcystin: 0.25 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
• Anatoxin-a: <0.10 µg/L

North Near Island

• Sample date: October 7, 2019
• Sample type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
• Microcystin: 0.14 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
• Anatoxin-a: <0.10 µg/L

Narrows

• Sample date: October 7, 2019
• Sample type: Surface sample
• Microcystin: 1.69 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
• Anatoxin-a: 0.15 µg/L

Narrows

• Sample date: October 7, 2019
• Sample type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
• Microcystin: 0.4 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
• Anatoxin-a: <0.10 µg/L