Algae levels create new warnings at Utah Lake

Algae levels create new warnings at Utah Lake

(Spenser Heaps, Deseret News, File)


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AMERICAN FORK — Another area of Utah Lake was placed under a stricter advisory Tuesday because of troublesome algae levels, health officials said.

The American Fork Marina is now under a "warning" advisory, a more serious designation than "caution," where it was previously listed, the Utah County Health Department said.

Sandy Beach and Saratoga Springs Marina remain under a "warning" level advisory, while Lincoln Beach remains closed. The rest of Utah Lake is under a "caution" advisory.

McKellen Lake in Payson was also upgraded to a "warning" advisory because of concerns over algae levels. Box Lake and Big East Lake, also in Payson, have stayed at the "warning" advisory level since Aug. 22.

Swimming is prohibited under the stricter advisory, according to Utah County Health Department spokeswoman Aislynn Tolman-Hill. Boating is allowed, but lake visitors are asked to avoid areas with strong concentrations of scum.

Utah Lake was closed to visitors on July 15 after detected algae levels there were three times higher than what is deemed safe by health experts. The lake reopened Aug. 2, but some restrictions remain in place amid concerns about future algal blooms.

Pets and livestock should not get in or drink lake water at any advisory level, Tolman-Hill said. The advisories were prompted by "recent testing results and monitoring," she added.

Exposure to high concentrations of algae can result in diarrhea, skin irritation, fever, stomach pain, vomiting and headaches. Anyone affected can call the Utah Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222.

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Ben Lockhart

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