Pineview 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.

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Update November 8, 2019

Toxin test results from the Utah Public Health Lab (UPHL) for surface samples collected by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) on October 30, 2019, at the West Boat Ramp at Pineview Reservoir exceeded the recreation health-based threshold for a Warning Advisory for anatoxin-a and cyanobacterial cell-count concentrations.

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 for Pineview Reservoir remains in place.

Data Summary

West Boat Ramp

  • Sample date: October 30, 2019
  • Sample Type: Surface sample
  • Microcystin: <2.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
  • Anatoxin-a: 0.23 µg/L
  • Cyanobacteria cell counts: 3,524,250 cells per milliliter (cells/mL)

West Boat Ramp

  • Sample date: October 30, 2019
  • Sample Type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
  • Microcystin: <2.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
  • Anatoxin-a: <0.10 µg/L
  • Cyanobacteria cell counts: 5,819 cells per milliliter (cells/mL)

West Boat Ramp

  • Sample date: October 25, 2019
  • Sample Type: Surface sample
  • Microcystin: 3.9 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
  • Anatoxin-a: <0.10 µg/L

West Boat Ramp

  • Sample date: October 25, 2019
  • Sample Type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
  • Microcystin: 2.7 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
  • Anatoxin-a: <0.10 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 18, 2019, at Pineview Reservoir showed that samples collected at the West Boat Ramp exceeded the recreation health-based threshold for a Warning Advisory for anatoxin-a. All other samples 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

West Boat Ramp

  • Sample date: October 18, 2019
  • Sample Type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
  • Microcystin: <2.0 (µg/L)
  • Anatoxin-a: 0.12 µg/L

Cemetary point

  • Sample date: October 18, 2019
  • Sample Type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
  • Microcystin:<2.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
  • Anatoxin-a: <0.10 µg/L

Update October 23, 2019

Toxin test results from the Utah Public Health Lab (UPHL) for samples collected by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) on October 11, 2019, at Pineview Reservoir showed that surface samples exceeded the recreation health-based threshold for a Warning Advisory for anatoxin-a and microcystin.

The DWQ monitoring crew observed cyanobacteria on the surface of the water that resembled spilled paint. The water column had a green hue, and cyanobacteria were concentrated along the shoreline.

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

West Boat Ramp

  • Sample date: October 11, 2019
  • Sample Type: Surface sample
  • Microcystin: 18.9 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
  • Anatoxin-a: 0.12 µg/L

West Boat Ramp

  • Sample date: October 11, 2019
  • Sample Type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
  • Microcystin: 0.4 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
  • Anatoxin-a: <0.10 µg/L

Update October 15, 2019

Toxin test results and cyanobacteria cell-count concentrations for samples collected by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) on October 4, 2019, at various locations on Pineview Reservoir exceeded the recreation health-based threshold for a Warning Advisory. Cyanobacteria cell counts for four samples are pending from PhycoTech.

The DWQ monitoring crew observed lime-green cyanobacteria in isolated clumps that had collected along the edge of the water. The cyanobacteria had also created streaks across the surface of the water.

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

West Boat Ramp

  • Sample date: October 4, 2019
  • Sample Type: Surface sample
  • Microcystin: 49 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
  • Anatoxin-a: 0.164 µg/L
  • Cyanobacteria cell counts: 1,154,210 cells per milliliter (cells/mL)

West Boat Ramp

  • Sample date: October 4, 2019
  • Sample Type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
  • Microcystin: <2.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
  • Anatoxin-a: 0.106 µg/L
  • Cyanobacteria cell counts: 30,322 cells per milliliter (cells/mL)

Cemetery Point

  • Sample date: October 4, 2019
  • Sample Type: Surface sample
  • Microcystin: <2.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
  • Anatoxin-a: 0.157 µg/L
  • Cyanobacteria cell counts: Pending

Cemetery Point

  • Sample date: October 4, 2019
  • Sample Type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
  • Microcystin: 2.4 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
  • Anatoxin-a: <0.10 µg/L
  • Cyanobacteria cell counts: Pending

Anderson Cove

  • Sample date: October 4, 2019
  • Sample Type: Elbow-depth integrated composite sample
  • Microcystin: <2.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
  • Anatoxin-a: 0.108 µg/L
  • Cyanobacteria cell counts: Pending
Cemetery Point at Pineview Reservoir, October 4, 2019
Cemetery Point at Pineview Reservoir, October 4, 2019

Update September 27, 2019

The Weber-Morgan Health Department (WMHD) has issued a Warning Advisory for Anderson Cove in Pineview Reservoir after toxin-test strip testing on samples collected on September 25, 2019, showed microcystin levels >10 micrograms per liter (µg/). These microcystin levels are well above the recreation health-based threshold for a Warning Advisory. Further quantification of toxins, as well as cyanobacteria cell count concentrations, are pending.

Microcystin levels from samples collected by WMHD on September 24, 2019, at Browning Point East and Browning Point West exceeded the recreation health-based threshold for a Warning Advisory. Microcystin levels at Browning Point East were five times greater than the advisory level. Anatoxin-a levels at Browning Point East also exceeded the recreation health-based threshold for a Warning Advisory.

WMHD sampled additional areas of the reservoir on September 27, 2019:

  • Windsurfer’s Beach (under a Warning Advisory)
  • Cemetary Point (under investigation)
  • Quist Beach/Public Access (under investigation)

Toxin test results and cyanobacteria cell-count concentrations for these samples are pending.

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.

Browning Point, Windsurfer’s Beach, and Anderson Cove remain under a Warning Advisory.

Data Summary

Browning Point West

  • Sample date: September 24, 2019
  • Sample Type: Surface sample
  • Microcystin: 10.3 micrograms per liter (µg/)
  • Anatoxin-a: <0.10 µg/L

Browning Point East

  • Sample date: September 24, 2019
  • Sample Type: Surface sample
  • Microcystin: 21.5 micrograms per liter (µg/)
  • Anatoxin-a: 0.163 µg/L

Updated September 26, 2019

The Weber-Morgan Health Department (WMHD) has issued a Warning Advisory for Windsurfer Beach on Pineview Reservoir after visual confirmation indicated a cyanobacteria bloom was occurring in the area. Monitoring crews will be collecting samples today to confirm the presence of cyanobacteria and toxin levels.

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.

Updated September 24, 2019

The Weber-Morgan Health Department (WMHD) has issued a Warning Advisory for Browning Point on Pineview Reservoir after the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) received a citizen report on September 23, 2019, about a suspected cyanobacteria bloom at that location. DWQ scientists identified it as a Microcystis bloom based on the photos.

Monitoring crews from DWQ and the Weber-Morgan Health Department collected samples today to confirm the presence of cyanobacteria and toxin levels. Toxin test strip results for Browning Point collected September 24, 2019, showed >10 micrograms per liter (µg/L) of microcystin. Further information will be posted once DWQ receives more complete toxin test results from the Utah Public Health Lab (UPHL) and cyanobacteria cell-count concentrations 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.