Zion National Park warns visitors against swimming in Virgin River due to possible toxins

Visitors walk along the river at Zion National Park Wednesday. Park officials recently issued an advisory to visitors to not swim or submerge their heads in the water due to possible bacteria spread by algal blooms.

Visitors walk along the river at Zion National Park Wednesday. Park officials recently issued an advisory to visitors to not swim or submerge their heads in the water due to possible bacteria spread by algal blooms. (St. George News)


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SPRINGDALE, Washington County — Officials at Zion National Park have recently issued an advisory to visitors, advising them not to swim or submerge their heads in the Virgin River or any connected bodies of water due to the likely presence of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins spread by harmful algal blooms.

Visitors are also advised not to drink water from streams anywhere in the park and to carry their own water instead.

Popular locations within the park affected by the advisory include The Narrows, Emerald Pools and the Subway.

The following waterways in Zion National Park are being monitored for cyanobacteria and toxins:

  • North Fork of the Virgin River
  • North Creek
  • LaVerkin Creek

Specifically, this includes:

  • The Narrows
  • Pine Creek
  • Deep Creek
  • Kolob Creek
  • Orderville Canyon
  • Emerald Pools
  • Right Fork
  • Left Fork (The Subway)
  • Grapevine Spring
  • La Verkin Creek
  • Timber Creek
  • Hop Valley Creek
  • All canyoneering routes with an active surface water connection to LaVerkin Creek, North Creek and the North Fork of the Virgin River.

Read the full article at St. George News.

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Southern UtahUtahOutdoorsHealth
Mori Kessler

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