Bear Lake Invasive Species, Microplastics Lead Concerns of USU Researchers

USU researchers presented results from nearly a dozen projects focused on Bear Lake at a science symposium in Garden City last Friday.

Brief “lightning talks” highlighted the accelerated growth rate of Eurasian watermilfoil in Bear Lake’s alkaline water and the detection of elevated nanoparticles at the lake’s most visited beaches, among other key findings.

“This symposium was the culmination of work from our Bear Lake research program,” said Anna McEntire, managing director of the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air at Utah State. “Over the past year, we’ve been able to engage dozens of faculty and graduate students — and hundreds of undergraduates — in better understanding key issues and challenges related to one of Utah’s great outdoor treasures.”

The Bear Lake research program is part of a larger state appropriation, sponsored by Sen. Chris Wilson and administered by the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, to conduct a needs assessment of Bear Lake and its management. At USU, the program and needs assessment has been conducted by the Institute for Land, Water, and Air.

“Bear Lake is special, and it’s worth protecting,” Wilson said. “The information we’re getting from this project will help show us where we need to focus our efforts.”

Projects from the research program spanned seven USU colleges and 12 departments with highly varied topics and approaches, all designed to better inform and manage Bear Lake. Topics included:

• Understanding residents’ Bear Lake environmental concerns.
• Using machine learning to model Bear Lake climate scenarios.
• Understanding how the climate shift from rain to snow will affect Bear Lake.
• Growth and eradication of Eurasian watermilfoil invasive plants.
• Compiling historical Bear Lake records and resources.
• Detailed mapping of Bear Lake’s shoreline.
• Baseline studies to reintroduce native fish to Bear Lake tributaries.
• Irrigation effects on Bear Lake water quality.
• Detection and quantification of nanoparticle contamination in Bear Lake.
• Bear Lake and project photographic documentation.
• Long-term environmental planning for Bear Lake Valley.
• Analysis of Utah’s Bear Lake Comprehensive Management Plan.
• Development of public service announcements for Bear Lake recreators.

“These studies are creating important findings that have significant management implications,” said Brady Long, executive director of Bear Lake Watch. “I was alarmed to see that Eurasian watermilfoil grows so much faster in Bear Lake water and that it’s more resistant to herbicides. Seeing the amount of polyethylene plastic detected at our most visited beaches also surprised me.”

In addition to the research projects, the Institute for Land, Water and Air will complete a management needs assessment, context report and engagement toolkit for Bear Lake managers.

“There’s a lot we still don’t know about Bear Lake,” said Ben Stireman, deputy director of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. “We are grateful for the partnership we have with Utah State University to address these gaps. What we’re learning now will help inform better ways we can manage and protect this unique resource. We hope to continue to build on this momentum.”

Other Bear Lake efforts continuing this fall will include a national Eurasian watermilfoil conference on Oct. 18 hosted by Bear Lake Watch, a photography exhibit in USU’s Tippets Gallery, and release of final reports and assessments.

Reports from the Bear Lake research program will be posted on the Institute for Land, Water and Air’s website and will be included in the 2024 Report to the Governor and Legislature on Utah’s Land, Water and Air, to be released Dec. 3.