The Division of Water Quality (DWQ) conducted sampling on June 20, 2018, at eight Utah Lake sites. Toxin test-strip results from three of the sample sites exceeded the recommended health advisory threshold for microcystins, a cyanotoxin that can cause liver damage. Utah Public Health Lab enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing confirmed the toxin test-strip results.
The health department is posting warning signs at the affected locations. DWQ scientists collected additional samples at these sites on June 25, 2018.
While some areas on Utah Lake are not currently affected by the blooms, algae may move or disperse depending on temperature, wind, and weather. Recreationists are advised to be mindful of conditions, as they may change over the course of the day.
All samples from June 20, 2018, were dominated by Dolichospermum, a toxic genus of cyanobacteria. Cell-count densities exceeded health-based thresholds. The following cell counts were for toxigenic cyanobacteria only.