Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are growths of cyanobacteria that are not actually algae but tiny, aquatic plant-like bacteria. With increasing nutrients, lower water levels, and warmer temperatures, blooms are occurring more frequently around Utah and the world. These blooms can occur naturally in lakes, reservoirs, ponds and, less frequently, in streams. These tiny bacteria, also known as blue-green algae, thrive in nutrient rich waters and produce toxins that can attack the kidneys, liver, reproductive and nervous systems, and irritate the skin. In large concentrations, cyanobacteria are harmful to human, livestock, and pet health. Animals and swimmers, which often ingest surface waters, are at particular risk.
Manuals and Datasheet
HAB Monitoring Instructions Field ID Guide HAB Field Datasheet
How to Monitor for HABs
- Watch the training video to learn how to identify and photograph HABs.
- Choose a monitoring site with the help of our coordinators.
- Make weekly or every other week observations of the lake(s), reservoir(s), and/or river(s) you monitor.
- HAB Squad Monitoring Instructions
- HAB Squad Datasheet
- Camera (phone or other)
When in doubt, stay out! If you think a HAB may be present, do not enter the water to swim, fish, boat, or recreate in any way. Do not touch the scum or algae. To prevent accidental swallowing of cyanobacteria, volunteers should take care and avoid getting into the water. Be sure to avoid steep banks and slippery surfaces. NOTE: You do not need to touch or enter the water to make observations for HAB Squad.
Avoid exposure to cyanotoxins by following these simple safety guidelines:
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Do not swim in, ingest, or allow water to come in contact with exposed skin. Do not allow children or pets to play in or around water or near the shore. |
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Avoid inhaling spray caused by boats, wind, or other water surface disturbances. If these conditions are present, wear a basic mask to avoid inhalation of spray and airborne particles. |
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Wash hands thoroughly with soap before eating or drinking. Shower after entering recreational waters. Rinse animals immediately after exposure. |
If the water is clear and you do not see signs of a bloom, please record the absence of a bloom and skip to Step 3. If you suspect a bloom, please proceed. To begin, make sure the suspected bloom is not filamentous green algae, a common harmless aquatic plants.
Filamentous green algae come in many forms and may look like underwater moss, thick stringy mats, or floating slimy scum. Types of green algae can look a lot like cyanobacteria and grow in similar nutrient-enriched waterbodies. Unlike cyanobacteria, green algae may form long filamentous strands that make up silky “clouds” below the surface or viscous mats on the surface.
The stick test:
Find a sturdy stick or pole and pull it through the algae. If the stick pulls out strands that look like green hair or fibrous threads that hang or break, the mat on the pond is likely filamentous green algae (non-toxic). If not, you may have a harmful algal bloom. Cyanobacteria are microscopic and cannot be lifted or seen (Sharip et al., 2023).
| Stick Test |  |
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| Algae Threads |  |
| Distance View - Underwater |  |
| Close Up - Cluster |  |
If the water is clear and you do not see signs of a bloom, please record the absence of a bloom and skip to Step 3. If you suspect a bloom, please proceed. To begin, make sure the suspected bloom is not duckweed, a common harmless aquatic plants.
Duckweed are tiny aquatic plants with a grainy texture that can cover the entire surface of calm, nutrient-enriched ponds. From a distance, a waterbody can appear to be covered in algae. If you collect them using a stick, you will notice their tiny leaves and root structures. Duckweed may resemble miniature lily pads and are generally beneficial to the environment.
| Distance View |  |
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| Close Up View |  |
| Size and Roots |  |
2. If you observe a bloom, take photos as outlined in the training video. If you do not observe a bloom, still take a photo of water conditions at the site. You will submit these photos to CitSci later.
It can be difficult to tell a harmful algal bloom from non-toxic green algae and duckweed. There are many types and colors of cyanobacteria and, sometimes, several types of algae can be present at one time. If it is not a harmless aquatic plant, then it may be one of the following common HAB types. You may also be able to distinguish a smell or musty odor such as rotting plants, septic, fishy, or gasoline if a HAB is present (Sharip et al., 2023).
Cyanobacteria blooms tend to take these forms:
- HABs can be suspended throughout the water column. Blooms forming in the water column can look like pea soup, green clumps or globules, green mats, or grass clippings.
- HABs can form a thick surface scum that develops when the cyanobacteria begin to die and cannot control their buoyancy. These scums can be especially toxic. These HABs usually look like spilled paint or streaks on the water surface and may change color (green, white, blue, red, purple, or brown) over time. They can also look like green mats floating on the surface.
- Benthic mats are a type of HAB that form in the substrate, plants and rocks on the bottom of a water body. These HABs are found in standing and flowing water (rivers) and can detach and float.
| Type of Algae | Picture |
|---|---|
| Spilled Paint HABs |  |
| Clump or Glob HABs |  |
| Pea Soup HABs |  |
| Green Mat HABs |  |
| Grass Clipping HABs |  |
| Bright Green HABs |  |
| Blue-Green Residue HABs |  |
| Benthic HABs |  |
Follow these steps while in the field and when you get home.
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Record your observations into the datasheet while in the field. Note: If you are reporting that no cyanobacteria was observed, only fill out information for the site, wind, weather, and comment sections. |
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If you suspect a bloom, it is important to notify the appropriate agencies as soon as possible. They will determine if further testing is necessary and if a health watch or advisory needs to be issued. Please complete the following steps:
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When you return home, go to CitSci.org (www.citsci.org). Log into your account and access the Utah Water Watch project. Open the Harmful Algal Bloom Datasheet in CitSci. If you are using the app, you can upload the data whenever you have internet service. Upload the images for your site both if there is a bloom and if there is not. Both types of information are useful. Submit your data. |