Provo River Delta Project Draft is available

[doggonefishin]

If it interests anyone, the draft Environmental impact statement and summary of the proposed Delta project is available. To refresh memory, this is the project that will divert the flow of the Provo river near Utah Lake from its current course to one that will form a more natural delta. It can be viewed or downloaded here.

http://www.provoriverdelta.us/


A few highlights.

1. There will be a public meeting on April 2nd from 6-8 PM at the Provo City Recreation Center (320 West 500 No.)

2. The option that they are likely to do is one that required a fair bit less land than some of the alternatives suggested a couple years ago.

3. They will still maintain a small residual flow of water through the existing Provo river channel. They are considering putting in a dam at the end and making a small impoundment.

4. Access of the public to the new delta for fishing, waterfowl hunting, and birdwatching will be maintained as well as walkways and access points to enhance recreational opportunities.

5. There is an endangered lily (The Ute lady tress lily) that grows in the area that has to be taken into account with this project. (I didn't know that.)

As always, the public is invited to comment on the project.
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[FishMcFisherson]

What are peoples opinion on this?
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[doggonefishin]

[quote FishMcFisherson]What are peoples opinion on this?[/quote]

Hard to say for sure, but based on previous threads on the subject, the following conclusions can tentatively be drawn.

1. Most BFters think the entire June sucker and UL habitat cleanup/improvement project is a waste of money.

2. A minority (like myself) favor what the project is doing and are excited to see how things turn out. They like the potential for improved fishing, habitat, and water quality the project may produce.

3. A few view the June sucker project as something that will end sportfishing at UL as we know it.


Since my first post was informational only, here is what I think of this phase.

1. I would have liked to see them wait a little while in order to see if the carp seining will really bring about aquatic revegetation the biologists are hoping for. I also would like to see how the Hobble creek project does over time with respect to June sucker and sportfish recruitment. (It is the Provo River project in miniature.) Some things may be learned that could help them in the bigger project. I do understand why the biologists feel they need to proceed however.

2. I am gladdened that they favor an option that uses less private land than what they were previously considering. Nevertheless, I'm a bit dened that some land will be requisitioned.

3. I love the proposed public recreation access to the area.

4. I think it will be a boon to wildlife. Sounds like a good place to hunt waterfowl. (also birdwatch and fish) All will be allowed.

5. It should be a good place for panfish to spawn and crappie and bluegills (and LMB) will like it there. Might replace some of the spawning previously done by these species in the Phragmites.

6. I have no idea whether it will make a difference in ultimately saving the June sucker.

7. I would like to see the existing riverbed enhanced with rocks and brush to enhance the habitat and possibly improve its sportfishing potential. (The posted report explains that the current flow near the lake is often oxygen poor.)
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[Tibbz]

I think it would be awesome to see Ut lake restord to what it looked like before carp were planted by pioneers if I'm not mistakin. I know it will never be what it was before the carp were there. But it would be nice to see a glimpse of what it used to be. A VERY long time ago. Its utahs largest natural fresh water lake. Hell I heard some where that giant cutthroat trout used to swim in the clearwaters of ut lake. That was way before us tho.
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[Therapist]

Sorry to spoil your dream of a clear, pristine mt.lake to the west of Provo. Utah Lake has never been that. The main difference to the lake is the lack of vegatation which the carp destroyed. Other than that, it has always been a shallow, turbid body of water. Yes there were Cuts in the lake, along with suckers, but what you see today is pretty much what it was when the pioneers arrived.

So regarding the Delta project. Haveing seen all 4 proposals, and I asked this question at the original meeting on this, why are we dewatering the last few miles of the Provo River and taking land from land owners to build a delta. Why not use the land to the south of the river that the state already owns, divert the course of the river into that area, and leave the current landowners and river alone ?? The plans call for the diverting of the river to the North West at a point where the new bridge is and taking the lands to the North West and that will be come the Delta, with the river entering the lake in the big bay to the east of the north dike.

All bueracratic BS !!

[doggonefishin]

[quote Therapist] why are we dewatering the last few miles of the Provo River and taking land from land owners to build a delta. Why not use the land to the south of the river that the state already owns, divert the course of the river into that area, and leave the current landowners and river alone ?? [/quote]

Maybe they can't/don't want to move the Provo Municipal airport?


I wondered about diverting it into Provo bay, but that would also require a notable confiscation of land (more than what they are using on their favored plan) to divert it that far South.
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[Tibbz]

Maybe I'm thinking about lake bonniville. But it would have to be a lot more like our mountain lakes to sustain cuthroat trout right? As far as clean water. They wouldn't last a day in todays ut lake without the native veggies, native bugs that they proably fed off. I'm no history buff an don't claim to be. But the lake from what ive heard actualy used to be blue or not brown or grayish in colour. If the natural plants had a chance. No carp to destroy them? Yeah I still don't think it would be the same. But I think the lake is worth saving. I like what there doing with carp removel still not clear on the delta for june suckers. Because your right. There is a lot of optionable habitat to divert an still keep a nice inlet flow. But don't you think more species would benefit also from a delta system?
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[Therapist]

The airport would not be impacted, the property to the south of the river, along the dike would be the area utilized ! All that is owned by the state !!