Upper Kents Lake 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 November 12, 2019

The Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SUPHD) has removed the Warning Advisory for Upper Kents Lake. Toxin test results from the Utah Public Health Lab (UPHL) for samples collected by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) on October 23, 2019, at the access point at Upper Kents Lake 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.

Upper Kents Lake, October 19, 2019

Data Summary

Access

  • Sample date: October 23, 2019
  • Sample Type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
  • Microcystin: <2.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
  • Anatoxin-a: <0.10 µg/L

Update October 28, 2019

Upper Kents Lake, 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 Upper Kents Lake 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.

Upper Kents Lake 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 23, 2019

The Southwest Utah Public Health Department has issued a Warning Advisory for Upper Kents Lake after sampling conducted by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) on September 10, 2019, showed cyanobacteria cell-count concentrations and anatoxin-a levels above the recreation health-based threshold for a Warning Advisory.

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.

Update September 17, 2019

Upper Kents Lake, September 10, 2019

Cyanobacteria cell count concentrations for samples collected by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) at the access point on Upper Kents Lake on September 10, 2019, exceeded the recreation health-based threshold for a Warning Advisory. Cell counts were approximately 1 million cells per milliliter (cells/mL) in the surface sample and approximately 770,000 cells/mL in the water column sample. Aphanizomenon was the primary taxon in the samples.

Toxin test results received from the Utah Public Health Lab (UPHL) also showed anatoxin-a levels exceeding the recreation health-based threshold for a Warning Advisory in both samples. Microcystin levels were well below the advisory threshold.

The DWQ monitoring crew observed visible cyanobacteria that resembled grass clippings. These cyanobacteria were consistent throughout the water column and also clumped together on the surface. The water column had a milky blue hue, and there was dried bloom material on the surface. of the lake.

Data Summary

Surface sample

  • Sample date: September 10, 2019
  • Microcystin: 0.2 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
  • Anatoxin-a: 0.21 µg/L
  • Cyanobacteria cell counts: 1,007,397 cells per milliliter (cells/mL)

Elbow-depth integrated composite sample

  • Sample date: September 10, 2019
  • Microcystin: <2.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
  • Anatoxin-a: 0.13 µg/L
  • Cyanobacteria cell counts: 770,835 cells per milliliter (cells/mL)