Algae bloom warnings in place in parts of Pineview Reservoir

OGDEN, Utah — Parts of the Pineview Reservoir are under algae bloom warnings, the Weber-Morgan Health Department announced Thursday.

The warning applies to Pineview Reservoir’s Port Ramp Marina area and the southern end, near 5900 East, the health department said on social media. The post also noted that an E. coli warning remains in place for the reservoir’s middle inlet.

Weber-Morgan Health Department Health Officer Brian Cowan said the department found an algae bloom during its weekly sampling of the reservoir.

“We’ve noted elevated levels of E. coli and [in] the most recent sampling, elevated levels of the cyanobacteria and some visible blooms in portions of the reservoir,” he said.

The cyanobacteria cause algae blooms, Cowan said.

What does the Pineview Reservoir algae bloom warning mean?

The levels found in the recent samples were enough to prompt the health department to post warnings because they can cause potential health risks, according to Cowan.

“But it’s not severe enough that we would issue a closure of an area of the reservoir or of the beaches yet,” he noted.

For people visiting the Pineview Reservoir, be on the lookout for algae blooms.

“These are kind of a blue-green colored algae. They float together in a mat or a mass. Some people say that the bloom kind of looks like pea soup,” he said.

If you see them, Cowan said to avoid the area. He also advised against putting your head underwater or ingesting the water.

Cowan also said to wash yourself quickly if you get into the water and to keep your pets from ingesting it.

Becky Bruce contributed to the reporting of this story.

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