Water Safety in Utah

Utah boaters have a new rule to plan for. Starting January 1, 2027, anyone who operates a motorboat or sailboat in Utah must complete a short state safety course every calendar year and carry proof. Before any swim, check Utah's algal bloom advisories. At Lake Powell, there are no lifeguards, and swimming near marinas is banned because of electric shock risk.

Utah drowning and boating numbers

1.33 per 100,000

• Drowning: CDC puts Utah's average annual drowning death rate for 2018-2021 at 1.33 per 100,000 people (opens in a new tab), close to the national rate.
• Boating: The U.S. Coast Guard counted 50 reportable recreational boating incidents in Utah in 2024, with 10 deaths and 33 injuries (opens in a new tab). Deaths by year: 10 in 2020, 11 in 2021, 4 in 2022, 3 in 2023 and 10 in 2024.
• Per registered boat: Utah's 2024 rate was 14.7 deaths per 100,000 registered vessels, against 4.8 nationally. Utah registers motorized boats and sailboats, so rates aren't strictly comparable between states.

CDC counts drowning deaths of residents; the Coast Guard counts boating incidents. See our Utah data page.

Utah's boating laws

Utah's State Boating Act (Title 73, Chapter 18):

• New yearly course (from January 1, 2027): Utah Code 73-18-15.6 creates a watercraft operator safety course for motorboat and sailboat operators. It covers life jackets, boating under the influence, safe operation and aquatic invasive species, and is designed to take less than 20 minutes on average (opens in a new tab). A watercraft operator shall complete the course once every calendar year (opens in a new tab), and must carry proof of completion for the current year. Proof expires at the end of each calendar year. Renters without proof get a safety briefing from the livery instead.
• Personal watercraft: operators 12 to 17 must complete a division-approved boating safety course and carry the certificate. Ages 12 to 15 must also be under the direct supervision of someone 18 or older (73-18-15.2). The yearly course does not replace this requirement.
• Life jackets: every vessel must carry a wearable, Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person, in good condition and the right size. Federal law requires children under 13 to wear one on a moving boat (opens in a new tab).

Utah's outdoor recreation division site blocked our checks, so we used the statute. This is a summary, not legal advice. Check the Division of Outdoor Recreation before the 2027 season.

Algal blooms and water quality

Utah's Division of Water Quality monitors for two health concerns in popular Utah lakes, reservoirs, and rivers (opens in a new tab): harmful algal blooms, which can make toxins, and waterborne germs such as E. coli. Local health departments issue three levels of advisory:

• Health Watch: evidence that germs are present or a bloom is developing.
• Warning Advisory: a state health threshold has been exceeded.
• Danger Advisory: a bloom has become very large or toxin levels are high. The water body is often closed temporarily.

Crews visit priority waters about once a month from May to October and post updates on the state's map. Pets and livestock are more likely to drink water and be hurt by these toxins (opens in a new tab), so keep dogs out of water under an advisory. Read is the water safe to swim in?

Lake Powell

At Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, summer water can surpass 80 degrees Fahrenheit (opens in a new tab), but there are no lifeguards or designated swim beaches on Lake Powell or the Colorado River. The Park Service's rules:

• Swimming is prohibited at all marinas and launch areas (opens in a new tab). Electrical faults from boats or docks can electrocute swimmers, and boat traffic and propellers can kill.
• Don't swim in the main channel in the path of boats.
• If you swim from a boat, secure the boat, and never start the engine while anyone is in the water.
• Have young children and inexperienced swimmers wear life jackets, and still watch them closely.
• Always swim with a buddy.

See electric shock drowning.

What you can do today

• Set a reminder to take Utah's new watercraft operator course in January 2027, and every January after.
• Check the state's water quality map before a lake or river trip.
• Teach your family: no swimming at marinas, docks or launch ramps.
• Count heads before anyone starts the boat engine.
• Find swim lessons with our guide to finding swim lessons.