Provo River Delta Opens to the Public

Project Construction Continues Along the Original Channel

The Provo River Delta opened to the public on a gorgeous Saturday, October 26 with a celebration at the delta’s new Skipper Bay Trailhead. A couple hundred members of the public came out to traverse the new Skipper Bay Trail, take in the vistas from the viewing tower and pick up a treat or kernel of knowledge from those tabling at the event. Special thanks goes to BYU Mountain Strings for setting a festive tone for the day and to all Event Participants shown below that contributed their time, resources and knowledge to make the event a fun success!

In addition to helping with June sucker recovery, the delta will be managed as a multi-use recreation area, for which a management plan is being developed. Utah County will operate and manage the new trails and trail amenities, gates, viewing tower and Skipper Bay Trailhead. And Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) will own and manage the delta, partially as a Waterfowl Management Area which is now open to fishing and waterfowl hunting, but hunters should note there are several no-shooting zones in the area (see map below).

The No Shooting Area (safety zone) exists to ensure the safety of all those in the delta, nearby Provo High School, and adjacent private properties. Respecting the safety zone and private property boundaries will help ensure the future of hunting on the Provo River Delta. Visitors should note they will find many large, easy-to-spot signs that identify the hunt area boundaries within the delta, as well as multiple maps and signs along the trails to serve as a reminder that hunting is allowed only in specific areas. Anglers and boaters should note the Utah Wildlife Board recently approved 2025 fishing regulations for the area and only nonmotorized boats will be allowed in the new delta.

Click on diagram to enlarge

Construction will continue over the next year to complete recreation and other project facilities along the original Provo River channel from near Lakeshore Drive trailhead downstream to Utah Lake State Park. The most noticeable activity over the next year will be the installation of boat ramps and fishing platforms and an extension of the river diversion structure. This work requires use of heavy equipment and will include removal of five trees/stumps that obstruct features at two sites along the channel, and removal of other woody debris that interferes with channel navigation. We’ll also be completing construction on the downstream dam and adjusting the aeration system as needed. Trail users along the original channel should expect periodic closures until all features are constructed (see our Anticipated Construction Completion schedule). 

In the coming years, the original channel will be managed by UDWR as a community fishery. UDWR will be evaluating the channel to determine what fish species will be appropriate for the area and develop any necessary fishing regulations. With the work planned for this area, we anticipate the channel to continue to support recreation and be an amenity for those who use the Provo River trail.

Map showing a hunting zone on the north-west corner of the Provo River delta, no shooting areasnear the trail, high school and trailhead, and recreation facilities planned along the delta and original trail and no shoot

Delta GO! Event Participants

Collage of logos of organizations participating in the delta grand opening

Watch the Provo River Delta Restoration Project Video!

Provo River Delta Restoration Project Video. To view with captions visit the UDWR YouTube channel:  https://youtu.be/GIS_k59OPZ4

Feeling Nostalgic?

Take a trip down delta memory lane with reviews of the project’s last four years of construction: