Fishing Piers and Boat Launches Take Shape along the Old Provo Channel

Through this spring and summer Delta project crews are focusing on completing construction of recreation features on the Old Provo Channel. These features were included in the project to enhance the area’s recreational offerings.

Fishing Platforms: Construction of three fishing platforms is well underway and on track to be completed by July’s end. The piers will be tied into the accompanying river trail when Utah County repaves the section from Lakeview Parway to the West Trailhead later this summer. To protect public safety, orange fencing and “No Trespassing” signs will remain on the platforms until they are completed. The pier locations were selected based on feedback from local anglers and will improve fishing access on the old channel. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has been stocking fish into the channel to improve local fishing opportunities.

Non-Motorized Boat Ramps: Crews have completed initial construction of two non-motorized boat ramps on the channel. Boat ramp and fishing platform locations are shown in the map below. While the ramps are now functional, additional work to secure their edges and also connect them to the river trail will be completed during Utah County’s repaving.

Map of the Old Provo Channel with Provo River Delta recreation features identified on it

Video by Utah Division of Wildlife Resources @utahdwr (Instagram)

Spawning Runs and Fish Monitoring

This year’s June sucker spawning run has concluded and the spawning adults have left the river and returned to the delta or Utah Lake. Wildlife biologists recorded over 4,500 adults as part of this year’s spawning run, which represents a fraction of the total number of spawning adults. Monitoring of larval suckers has been underway for a few weeks, and early results show large numbers of larvae coming downstream into the delta. Visit Utah Division of Wildlife Resource’s Instagram page for a video and more information about this year’s June sucker monitoring.

Biologists also noticed increased carp activity - the beginnings of a “carp run” - in the delta the second week of June. Carp numbers increased to several thousand by June 17 at an upstream limit at the Lower City Dam diversion. Efforts undertaken to remove the carp underscore the need to know the difference between a carp - an introduced, invasive species causing habitat destruction - and the June sucker, a native, threatened species and indicator of lake health - to ensure the June sucker’s protection.

Tables showing the differences between a common carp and a June sucker

Due partially to the low snow pack this year, flows in the Provo River were augmented by the June Sucker Recovery Implementation Program to simulate a low runoff year and support June sucker spawning. The Program will continue to supplement flows through the summer to support June sucker survival and recruitment. This water also prevents the river from going dry and maintains the health of the lower Provo River ecosystem.

Enjoy more underwater spawning footage in the Provo River, courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources YouTube channel:

Provo River Delta Management

Series of images of two biologists netting fish in a river and two sitting in a canoe on the delta collecting data, a hunting boundaries sign and a group of volunteers standing with the results of their hard labors

Delta Habitat and Monitoring
Hunting/Waterfowl Management Area
Volunteer Stewardship
- Contact: Utah Division of Wildlife Resource’s Central Region; phone (801) 491-5678

Series of images of the Skipper Bay trailhead, trail and wildlife viewing tower and the Old Provo Channel's west trailhead and Alligator Park parking area

Delta/Skipper Bay Trail, Trailhead and Wildlife Viewing Tower
Old Provo Channel west trailhead, channel trail, north bank and ‘Alligator Park’ parking
Boat Harbor Drive
- Contact: Utah County Public Works; phone (801) 851-8600

series of images of the people playing in the Old Provo River Channel in front of the Delta Gateway Park, the playground and entrance of the Delta Gateway Park and a small child playing in the sandy beach near the park

Delta Gateway Park
Old Provo Channel south bank (except for private property)
- Contact: Provo City Parks and Recreation; phone (801) 852-6600

series of images of the Delta diversion structure on the Old Provo Channel, the small dam constructed at the channel's downstream end, aeration bubbles and the building for the aeration system on the channel

Operation of Small Dam, Aeration system, and Delta diversion structure
Contact: Central Utah Water Conservancy District; phone (801) 226-7100

Permits and Delta Project Questions: a permit is necessary for any commercial activity, activity charging a participation fee, or activity involving groups larger than 12 participants in the delta. The permit is required to ensure the delta meets its purposes for supporting June sucker and allowing compatible recreational use. If you have any delta project questions, or to enquire about a permit please complete the form on our Contact Us page as you begin planning your event. (As a reminder, no motorized watercraft are ever permitted in the delta.)

How Did We Get Here?

Review past years of project construction and see how far we’ve come!