(Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
PROVO — The Utah County Health Department will reopen Lincoln Beach/Marina at Utah Lake after closing it for nearly a month due to high levels of blue-green algae.
Despite the area opening back up, there is still reason to be cautious.
Health Department officials are swapping out ‘CLOSED/DANGER’ signs for ‘WARNING’ signs following water samples taken from the area showed lower levels of cyanobacteria cell-count concentrations.
Despite the drop, recent samples still show levels of the bacteria above the agency’s recreation health-based threshold for contact with the water.
Even decreased amounts of cyanobacteria can still be dangerous for humans, pets, livestock, and fish. Exposure symptoms include fever, headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
The Water Quality Division will continue to take regular samples of Utah Lake will prompt the Utah County Health Department to issue warnings or closures as needed.
For those who would like updates on closures and warnings at Utah Lake, they can sign up for text, e-mail, or phone notification alerts at www.alerts.utahcounty.gov.