Jellyfish in Lake Powell? New Sightings of this Rare Fresh Water Version

With rising temperatures, jellyfish blooms have been increasing in the world’s oceans. Now there’s a threat to America’s freshwater lakes. Who knew there was a freshwater variety, but some people are reporting seeing them in Lake Powell. 

Imported from China in Fish Deliveries 

These freshwater jellyfish are called Craspedacusta sowerbii and are not as big as you might see in the ocean. They are about the size of your thumbnail. They feature tentacles that can grow fairly long.  

These jellyfish are not particularly dangerous to humans, but they are bad for other native species that have to compete with them for food. With warmer temperatures effecting lakes in the U.S., these freshwater jellyfish are thriving. 

You can see what they look like from this video from Eastern Michigan University.

Sightings of Jellyfish in the Warm Waters of Lake Powell 

Utah is not exempt from these jellyfish that were first seen in the Great Lakes region early last century. There are people who have reported that they have seen blooms in some of the offshoot canyons of Lake Powell. 

In one report they said it looked like sea foam, but as they got closer they saw what looked like little white bubbles under the water. This is not something to panic over as these jellyfish have been in North America for a very long time.

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Still, researchers are keeping an eye on the situation as water warms and these blooms increase in warm lakes.