Warnings About Algae and Quicksand at Lake Powell Feels Like Something from the Bible

What is going on in the Lake Powell area? Recent reports warn of algae blooms in the water and quicksand in the canyons. It includes dropping lake levels exposing launch ramps, and the whole thing starts to sound like an end time scenario. 

Quicksand Alerts: New Dangers for Lake Powell Visitors

A story that made national news was an alert from the National Park Service warning visitors of possible quicksand. They said there are places on the shoreline and in drainage areas where the sand looks stable but can suddenly give away. 

This quicksand doesn’t drop people below the surface like the movies, but it can go up to your thighs and trap you. Hikers have recently needed rescue. In remote areas this could be a scary prospect, especially as the weather heats up. 

Harmful Algal Blooms: A Growing Concern at Lake Powell

On the same Alerts & Conditions page they are warning of harmful agal blooms that can be toxic for humans and pets. This is the blue-green algae that is actually Cyanobacteria and not really an algae at all. 

It is popping in several places at Lake Powell where water doesn’t move as much. The park service says the concentration of cyanotoxins is high in these areas and that visitors should be cautious and avoid unnecessary dips in the reservoir. 

Contact with the bacteria can cause a rash an irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. You can find more information at the Utah Department of Environmental Quality site.  

Read More: Utah Has the Third Worst Polluted Lake in the Country

Lake Powell has seen many fluctuations in water levels over the years, and many of these concerns aren’t new. Seeing these alerts so early in the year seems to have caught the media’s attention.