07-15-2016, 06:40 PM
[#0000FF]It had to happen. When Utah Lake was allowed to get so low I predicted it. But I did not expect it to be so bad so fast.
In "normal" water years there is usually at least some kind of algae bloom. But it is not more than an ugly nuisance and typically happens in late summer, around Labor Day...or when the water begins to cool for fall. However, it happened much earlier the past two years when water levels were lower and the nutrient levels (treated wastewater) were higher as a total percentage of the water. This year the combination of extremely low water and sustained high temperatures were enough to cause the massive algae bloom we are now seeing.
The bad news is that it could last until fall water temps drop below about 60 degrees. The really bad news is that if it gets worse it could result in oxygen depletion and fish kills. About the only species able to survive might be the carp. Oh joy!
[/#0000FF]
[signature]
In "normal" water years there is usually at least some kind of algae bloom. But it is not more than an ugly nuisance and typically happens in late summer, around Labor Day...or when the water begins to cool for fall. However, it happened much earlier the past two years when water levels were lower and the nutrient levels (treated wastewater) were higher as a total percentage of the water. This year the combination of extremely low water and sustained high temperatures were enough to cause the massive algae bloom we are now seeing.
The bad news is that it could last until fall water temps drop below about 60 degrees. The really bad news is that if it gets worse it could result in oxygen depletion and fish kills. About the only species able to survive might be the carp. Oh joy!
[/#0000FF]
[signature]