Old Provo Channel Trail Closes as Repaving Work Begins

The trail along the Old Provo Channel will be closed until October 31 as Utah County crews perform prep work and repave the trail. Their general plan is to start bank stabilization work the week of September 28. One of the areas they are working is around the new fishing platform at the west end of the channel. The week of October 5th they plan to start pulverizing the old trail. Paving is expected to begin the week of October 19th.

Trail paving is the last of delta restoration project construction activities planned to enhance the old channel’s recreational offerings. Other features include:

Boat ramps and fishing piers on a tree-lined river

Fishing Platforms: Three new fishing platforms were built along the channel this summer. Entrances to the piers will be tied into the river trail as Utah County repaves it. Fishing pier locations were selected based on feedback from local anglers to improve fishing access on the old channel. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has been stocking fish into the channel to improve local fishing opportunities. By the end of September, they will have stocked over 4,000 Rainbow and Tiger trout and 150 Walleye this year.
Non-Motorized Boat Ramps: Two non-motorized boat ramps were also constructed this summer. Work to secure their edges and connect them to the river trail will be completed as part of the trail paving.

Delta crews will also be in the delta and old channel areas over the next month performing final construction cleanup work.

9 Years and Counting: BYU Students Track Delta Birds

Since 2017, the Delta project has been partnering with BYU students and wildlife biologists to track how birds use the Provo River Delta area and nearby Utah Lake. Surveys of 22 sites have documented how bird activity has shifted before, during, and after Delta construction. The continually growing dataset allows biologists to track population trends and helps project partners manage the Delta so as not to increase wildlife hazards to Provo Airport.

Data shows the newly restored Delta is attracting a greater number and variety of species—including waterbirds, waterfowl, gulls, and shorebirds—as they discover new foraging and resting habitat. As water levels rise and fall, bird habitats change too. Before the Provo River was diverted into the Delta, songbirds, blackbirds, and swallows were most common in the area. During construction, many species dipped in numbers, except blackbirds that foraged easily in freshly turned soil. After the river diversion in 2023, waterbirds, waterfowl, gulls, and shorebirds have increased each year as our winged friends discover the Delta’s dynamic habitat.

Chart showing total bird observations per guild for 2017 through 2026 - with 2026 observations reflecting partial-year data — *2026 data reflect partial-year observations; data collection is still in progress.

To learn more about BYU student involvement in this critical effort, check out the BYU News story How BYU students at the Provo River Delta are tracking birds and protecting habitats, by Ellie Larsen, July 07, 2026 and watch the BYU Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ipqviaIF2I:

BYU Video, Tracking Birds, Protecting Habitats: BYU Students at the Provo River Delta, YouTube

Provo River Delta Management Contacts

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. 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.)

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

How Did We Get Here?

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