Summer is the time when I love visiting a lake, river, or swimming hole. While there are dozens of destinations around Utah to check out, it’s always best to be mindful before you hop into the water. Several popular lakes, rivers, and swimming holes are already under warning advisories and health watches due to poor water quality. This means that before you hop into the water, make sure you don’t come home sick.

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality monitors the lakes, reservoirs, and rivers in Utah for two primary health concerns: harmful algal blooms (HABs) and waterborne pathogens such as E. coli.

Harmful Algal Blooms develop naturally in the water. They multiply very quickly and you’ll see green or blue-green colors, scum, or mats in the water. These blooms are extremely dangerous to humans and animals.

Waterborne pathogens are introduced into the water through fecal contamination. The pathogens can’t be seen by the naked eye and are only discovered through testing. Waterborne pathogens can make humans extremely sick.

When a health advisory is issued by a local health department, it is placed into one of three different levels: Health Watch, Warning Advisory, and Danger Advisory.

If a health watch is issued, you do not want to swim or water ski. You should not drink the water or perform any type of activity where water may get into your mouth. If the body of water has reached a danger advisory, you should not get in the water at all, keep animals away, and even be cautious when fishing.

While the list of lakes and rivers with health advisories is continually changing, there are several that have already reached warning advisories for the 2023 year.

For example, a Warning Advisory is in place for both Lincoln Beach and Provo Bay on Utah Lake. These areas are being monitored for both HABS and waterborne pathogens.

Highland Glen Reservoir, also located in Utah County, is another body of water where harmful bacteria and viruses may be present and it is under a Warning Advisory.

On the southeastern part of the state, Crouse Reservoir and Matt Warner Reservoir are under Warning Advisories. A harmful algal bloom is present in both bodies of water.

If venturing further south, be cautious at Otter Creek Reservoir. This is another body of water with a Warning Advisory due to HABS and waterborne pathogens.

Some other popular bodies of water that are being closely monitored and under a Health Watch include Panguitch Lake, Calf Creek, Yuba Lake, Payson Lakes, Deer Creek Reservoir, and Steinaker Reservoir.

Before you spend a day out on the water, take a moment to check the water quality on the Utah Department of Environmental Quality website.

Have you ever checked the water quality of a lake, river, or swimming hole that you plan to visit? Is that something you worry about on a summer day in Utah? Let us know in the comments! And if you do plan to spend a day outdoors, make sure you have the right gear. Check out all of the best water gear on REI.