New Zion NP advisory for toxic cyanobacteria 11.08.2023

fossana

fossana

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Zion NP just issued a new advisory for toxic cyanobacteria in the N Fork of the Virgin River (e.g. the Narrows), North Creek (e.g. Subway), LaVerkin Creek, and any connected surface waters after new toxins were discovered during routing water sampling. Recreators are advised to avoid swimming or submerging your head in the water. Keep your pets from drinking from affected streams. According to the park the lack of precipitation this fall has contributed to the blooms. The CDC lists other factors here, like higher temps, livestock, and fertilizer run-off from agriculture. The park tracks current status on its Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) status page.

The EPA has a a page on water treatment effectiveness for HABs, aimed more at public water utilities. Based on the uncertainty of membrane filters at removing extracellular toxins, it's best to avoid drinking water from these sources even if filtered.
 
fossana said:
Zion NP just issued a new advisory for toxic cyanobacteria in the N Fork of the Virgin River (e.g. the Narrows), North Creek (e.g. Subway), LaVerkin Creek, and any connected surface waters after new toxins were discovered during routing water sampling. Recreators are advised to avoid swimming or submerging your head in the water. Keep your pets from drinking from affected streams. According to the park the lack of precipitation this fall has contributed to the blooms. The CDC lists other factors here, like higher temps, livestock, and fertilizer run-off from agriculture. The park tracks current status on its Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) status page.

The EPA has a a page on water treatment effectiveness for HABs, aimed more at public water utilities. Based on the uncertainty of membrane filters at removing extracellular toxins, it's best to avoid drinking water from these sources even if filtered.
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It doesn't list the east fork but but I'm going to say that was the cause of my pain and fatigue last week (not the fact that I'm old and out of shape) :)
 
zionsky said:
It doesn't list the east fork but but I'm going to say that was the cause of my pain and fatigue last week (not the fact that I'm old and out of shape) :)
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I'm not sure if DEQ tests all waterways for HABs specifically or just the ones that are a risk due to other failing health indicators (high temp, low oxidation, E coli, etc.). Here's the 2022 DEQ report, the most recent report. The excerpt from page 109 shows that the E Fork sections are either healthy or have insufficient data v. the N Fork and N Creek, which show problems.

Screen Shot 2023-11-08 at 10.02.56 PM.png
 
Thing about cyanobacteria that they mention in the article, there isn't really an effective treatment for backcountry users. Boiling simply makes it worse, more toxic; chemicals ineffective, and it doesn't sound like filtering is an option either.
 
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