Harmful Algae Blooms at Utah State Parks

Algae Bloom at Jordanelle State Park | Utah DEQ

*UPDATE — Both of these water bodies are now open for recreation and there are no Harmful Algal Blooms present. 

SALT LAKE CITY — Both Jordanelle State Park and Rockport State Park received warning designations this week from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality after harmful algae blooms were discovered in the water.

Field tests conducted in both reservoirs have indicated elevated levels of cyanotoxins within the algae blooms. These levels are high enough at this time to warrant a warning advisory for both areas within Jordanelle and Rockport.

Signs have been erected at both parks at this time, informing visitors of the possible dangers recreating within these impacted areas could bring.

We advise recreators avoid areas where the blooms are present, and that they:

• Do not swim or water ski
• Do not drink the water
• Keep pets and livestock away
• Clean fish well and discard guts
• Avoid areas of scum when boating

Algae blooms occur naturally in water bodies across the country and undergo seasonal blooms. However, not all blooms are necessarily harmful. 

At the time of this post, there are four Utah state parks currently under a warning advisory for harmful algae blooms. These are: Jordanelle, Rockport, Deer Creek, and Utah Lake. All of these parks remain open at this time.

For more information on these and other harmful algae blooms, visit the DEQ Algae Webpage.