A toxic algal bloom confirmed upstream on the Jordan River could pose risks to Sandy residents who walk, kayak or let dogs play along the river corridor that passes through the city.

The Jordan River Commission confirmed Aug. 5 that harmful algal blooms are present at two monitored locations: the Utah Lake Outlet and the 1500 N Crossing in Lehi. Both sites sit upstream of Sandy, meaning water from those locations flows north through the community's stretch of the Jordan River Parkway, according to ABC4 Utah.

The commission posted the warning on its official Facebook page, stating that a harmful algal bloom "is currently present at two monitored locations on the Jordan River."

What to do

The Jordan River Commission's guidelines for anyone near the affected water:

• Do not swim or water ski.
• Keep pets and animals away from the water.
• Do not drink the water.
• Avoid areas with visible algae when boating.
• Clean fish thoroughly and discard the skin and guts.
• Kayaking is permitted, but avoid direct contact with the water.

Why pets are especially at risk

While no human deaths in the United States have been attributed to cyanotoxins, pet, livestock and wildlife deaths have been reported across the country, according to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Dogs that drink from or wade into contaminated water can show symptoms including weakness, excessive drooling, staggering, difficulty breathing, vomiting, convulsions and liver failure.

For people, exposure can cause eye and skin irritation, nausea, headaches, muscle cramps and kidney or liver damage. Inhaling water spray near a bloom may trigger a sore throat, coughing or difficulty breathing.

How to spot a bloom

Algal blooms can be tricky to identify. They may appear green, blue, red, pink, white, gray or purple and can resemble spilled paint, surface scum, foam, floating mats or grass clippings. In rivers, blooms sometimes grow as mats on the bottom, attached to rocks or plants, making them harder to spot than surface blooms in lakes.

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality maintains a Recreational Advisory Map and photo guide to help residents identify blooms.

What's next

As of Aug. 12, no update lifting the advisory has been issued. Residents who suspect a bloom can call the UDEQ 24-hour Spill Hotline at (801) 536-4123. Anyone experiencing symptoms after exposure should call the Utah Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222.

The Jordan River Commission's next scheduled community event, a #LoveYourWatershed Cleanup at Shields Lane Park, is set for Thursday, Aug. 13. A Jordan River Marathon and Half Marathon along the parkway trail, with packet pickup at the Salt Lake Running Store at 8946 S. State St. in Sandy, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19.