A harmful algal bloom has been detected at Lake Powell and across the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, park officials said Friday.
Visitors should avoid contact with the lake water until further notice, officials said in a news release.
Toxic algal blooms and phytoplankton in lakes crop most often in warm weather, the news release said. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus in still water also helps the algae’s growth.
Nutrient pollution in still water, according to Florida International University News, may come from agricultural runoff, transportation and sewage discharge.
Algal blooms may appear pale green or pea green on a water’s surface, the lake’s advisory page shared.
The National Park Service encouraged visitors to take these precautions:
· Avoid recreational activities, such as swimming or water skiing, in areas with apparent algal bloom.
· Keep children and animals away from infected water. Dogs are particularly vulnerable.
· Immediately shower with soap after contact with any water, even if algae is not present.
According to a Utah State University study, the number of harmful algal blooms in Utah bodies of water went up an average of 4.5 a year every year between 2014, when monitoring started, and 2022 — a 35-fold increase.
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