SALT LAKE CITY — Officials closed Utah Lake on Friday after dangerous levels of algae — triple the amount allowed for people and animals to safely enjoy the water — bloomed across the lake.

Samples taken by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality indicate that concentrations of normally safe algae in the water have reached levels that could pose serious health concerns, officials from the Utah County and state health departments said Friday.

"These types of algae release neurotoxins and hepatotoxins that can affect brain, nervous system and liver function," Joseph Miner, executive director of the Utah Department of Health, told the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.

Satellite images taken Tuesday indicated the bloom had expanded through about 90 percent of the lake, according to a news release from multiple state agencies.

Scot Chipman, president of the Utah Water Ski Club, inadvertently captured a time-lapse video of the bloom creeping into the harbor on a camera he has set up there.

"That time lapse is actually nothing compared to what's out on the main lake," Chipman said. "I have seen a lot of thick green algae over the last 30 plus years on that lake, but nothing like what I saw on Tuesday. On Tuesday it was still really thick algae but it had that bluish tint to it and it smelled horrid."

Chipman had been on the water just two days prior and saw no signs of trouble.

"It exploded when it happened," he said.

Though he has never seen a toxic algal bloom before, Chipman said the sight and smell were clear evidence it could be dangerous. Rather than try to find an edge and skirt around the obviously large bloom, he cut his boat straight across it on his way back to the harbor and didn't stop.

Crews began gathering samples Wednesday after the large bloom was reported, Utah Department of Environmental Quality communications director Donna Kemp Spangler said.

"While algae may not always be visible on the lake, the threat to human and animal health can still be present. Toxins can persist in the water for several days after algae dissipate," said Erica Gaddis, the department's assistant water quality director.

Algae normally occur in freshwater ecosystems, according to the department, but can be harmful if they expand to an algal bloom.

"These blooms can contain harmful cyanobacteria, a type of bacteria (often referred to as blue-green algae) that produces toxins that can pose risks to humans, wildlife, domestic animals and fish," according to the statement. "Symptoms of cyanotoxin poisoning include headache, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and sometimes allergic-like reactions from skin contact."

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food announced Friday that farmers and ranchers should cease using water from Utah Lake for their crops and livestock until lab results expected next week can provide more information about potential hazards. The department advised that alternative water sources be used wherever possible.

"We want to make it clear that this is not a normal situation and strongly urge farmers and ranchers to (heed) this advisory," a statement from the department said.

Dustin Durfee, a Department of Agriculture and Food veterinarian, said, "These types of toxins can be harmful to humans and livestock; farmers and ranchers should not use water taken from Utah Lake until further notice."

When it comes to recreation at the lake, the area had already seen decreasing visitors because of low water levels, said Utah Lake State Park manager Jason Allen, who hopes the closure will have a minimal impact on the public.

For Chipman, the closure is a tough blow to the water ski club.

"The club has kind of diminished this year with the really low water, not many people are using our courses," Chipman said. "Long term it's terrible news, and even short term it's difficult on some of us who are still going out there."

Allen said officials planned to further discuss the closure and its effects.

"From my limited knowledge, it's a big storm that's going to be needed to clean this up. We need strong winds and some good weather activity to kind of churn up and clean up the water," he said. "But that's just my own personal, limited insight on this. But we'll see what they tell us."

Anyone who is concerned about having been exposed to the algal bloom can contact their physician or Utah Poison Control at 800-222-1222. The Utah Department of Environmental Quality is asking health officials who know about animals or humans showing symptoms of exposure to alert Utah Poison Control.

The department has advised against eating any fish caught at the lake since July 10.

Those who believe their pets may have been exposed are urged to call a veterinarian, while the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food can be reached at 801-538-7100 for concerns about exposed livestock.

Utahns can receive updates about conditions at the lake by signing up with Utah County's online alert system at alerts.utahcounty.gov.

Contributing: Dave Cawley

Email: mromero@deseretnews.com

Twitter: McKenzieRomero