The Utah Lake Water Quality Study Steering Committee is a 16-member committee representing a diverse group of stakeholders interested in protecting and improving water quality in Utah Lake through a collaborative, transparent, and consensus-based decision-making process. The Steering Committee was formed in 2016 by a stakeholder-led initiative to establish a formal process by which committee …
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During the implementation planning phase of the study, the Steering Committee will review the recommendations of the Science Panel and formulate a plan that achieves and/or maintains water quality protective of designated beneficial uses while also balancing costs and benefits. During this review, the Steering Committee will:
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Update: October 11, 2016 The last few samples taken at Utah Lake showed minimal cyanobacteria cell concentrations. The Division of Water Quality (DWQ) has suspended harmful algal bloom (HAB) data collection until or unless it receives reports of deteriorating conditions from field crews visiting the lake weekly or members of the public. Three buoys collecting …
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The Steering Committee and Science Panel will evaluate the factors that impact the lake’s designated beneficial uses, including the factors that lead to harmful algal blooms on Utah Lake, during Phase 2 of the Study. This evaluation will guide additional research needed to address data gaps and develop site-specific numeric criteria for phosphorus and lake …
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The selection and development of a water quality model of Utah Lake were initiated as part of the Utah Lake Water Quality Study. The primary objective of the model is to function as a decision-support and water-quality management tool to address eutrophication in Utah Lake. Key objectives for the Utah Lake nutrient model: A secondary …
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Watershed delivery of flow and nutrient loading to Utah Lake are important for understanding how nutrients are processed in the lake and the resulting water quality of the lake. Simulations of in-lake water-quality conditions will use a series of in-lake water-quality and hydrodynamic models (EFDC and WASP). Since these models do not explicitly simulate delivery …
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Update November 1, 2017 The sampling season for Utah Lake is coming to a close. The Division of Water Quality (DWQ) will conduct its monthly sampling later in November, but BYU researchers have concluded their weekly sampling of the lake for the season. The Utah County Health Department (UCHD) will begin removing warning signs from …
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The Phase 1 Water Quality Assessment and Analysis had two primary objectives: DWQ performed a baseline analysis of several relevant water-quality parameters, trophic state indices (TSI), and lake-elevation data. The process included analyses of spatial and temporal patterns in water quality, relationships among water-quality parameters and TSIs, and relationships between water-quality parameters and lake elevation. …
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Various agencies and organizations have monitored the ecology and water quality of Utah Lake and its tributaries for many years. The 2015 Utah Lake Water Quality Study (ULWQS) Work Plan identified the need for a robust and complete data set that would help scientists: Deliverables Thorough data analysis would also help determine whether Utah Lake …
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Stakeholder involvement is a critical component of the Utah Lake Water Quality Study. Outreach efforts ensure a collaborative process with engaged stakeholders to guide scientific analyses and regulatory decision making. The original stakeholder group assembled in 2015 consisted primarily of members of the Utah Lake Commission Technical Committee as well as representatives from the Utah …
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For Phase 1 of the study, DWQ assembled a broad group of stakeholders representing a wide range of interests in the Utah Lake Water Quality Plan. Participants include representatives from local municipalities, publicly-owned treatment works (POTWs), and state and local governments. DWQ created subgroups of stakeholders to help inform decision-making for work plan element. The …
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The goal of the Utah Lake Water Quality Study (ULWQS) is to develop nitrogen and phosphorus criteria that are protective of the lake’s designated beneficial uses. The study approach consists of three phases to achieve this goal: The original expectation of the Steering Committee (SC), as defined in the Utah Lake Water Quality Stakeholder Process …
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Utah Lake is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in the western United States. The lake is overly rich in nutrients which can cause many problems. The Division of Water Quality has created a Utah Lake Water Quality Study to examine these concerns.
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The Utah County Health Department (UCHD) has issued a Warning Advisory for Utah Lake due to toxin levels that exceed health-based thresholds. UCHD advises people, their pets, and other animals to stay out of Provo Bay, Lincoln Marina, Sandy Beach, and the Utah Lake State Park Day Use area.
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Summertime means movie sequels. Star Wars, The Avengers and Jurassic Park return to theaters this year. Also making a comeback are harmful algal blooms.
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Find the latest 2018 harmful algal bloom monitoring updates and health advisories for Utah Lake here.
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