Delta Project Construction continues along old Channel
With the Provo River Delta now open to the public, some project construction in the Provo River’s original channel remains to be completed in 2025. This work will support a community fishery and recreation in the channel.
Community Fishery: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will manage the original channel as a community fishery. They recently stocked about 400 catchable-sized rainbow trout and are planning to stock at least another 1,000 in the channel over the next couple of months! They are assessing additional fish species for future stocking. Added species will help create a vibrant and diverse fishery, catering to many fishing preferences.
Small Downstream Dam: Crews will return this summer to complete the small dam at the downstream end of the original channel near Utah Lake State Park. After construction is completed, the surrounding area will be cleaned up and revegetated.
Delta Gateway Park: The Delta project provided land and funding to Provo City for construction of a new Delta Gateway Park near Lakeshore Drive. Provo City, which will own and manage the park, is expected to open the park in June 2025.
Boat Ramps and Fishing Platforms: Construction of three new fishing platforms and two non-motorized boat ramps is scheduled for late fall of 2025. Construction involving use of heavy equipment will require periodic trail closures and temporary interruptions to flow deliveries to the channel.
Trail Paving: The Delta project provided funding to Utah County to repave the original channel’s trail from Lakeshore Drive to Utah Lake State Park. This work is expected to take place when the weather allows after the recreational features have been constructed.
Completed Channel Facilities
Aeration System: We have been operating an aeration system in the original channel since July of 2023, and in 2024 we increased the number of diffusers from Lakeview Parkway to Utah Lake State Park. Water quality monitoring showed the additional diffusers support improved dissolved oxygen conditions through a much larger area of the channel. We will resume water quality monitoring this spring/summer.
Diversion Structure: Modifications to the structure that diverts a portion of Provo River flow from the delta into its original channel was completed in March 2025. Changes were made to the structure’s intake to prevent clogging issues - like those caused by upstream debris during high runoff last spring - and to allow committed flow deliveries at various Provo River levels. Water deliveries to the original channel were suspended during this construction but resumed in early April.
How Did We Get Here?
Review past years of project construction and see how far we’ve come!