Dead Tree Removal for Airport Safety

As the Provo River Delta has become established, an increasing number of double-crested cormorants have been roosting on dead cottonwood trees located near where the Provo River enters the delta and on the north end of the delta. This has raised concerns for potential bird-aircraft strikes due to the proximity of the delta to Provo City Airport. To address this, a small crew from the State of Utah will be in the delta on January 26th and on February 3 to cut down the dead trees.

The tree removal is being done pursuant to an agreement developed among Delta Project lead agencies, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Provo City, and the Federal Aviation Administration. The agreement was formed to address bird-aircraft strike concerns raised by the Federal Aviation Administration and others during the Provo River Delta Restoration Project planning process.

Double-breasted cormorants are large water birds that primarily roost on bare woody/dead vegetation. They are known to present a bird-strike hazard when their populations and nesting or foraging habitats occur in or near the flight paths of planes. Potential damage can be severe due to the cormorant’s large size and beak.

Crews will store the downed trees on site and will return in the fall of 2026 after migratory bird nesting season is over. More details on how the trees will be transported off site and where they will be used will be provided in the fall.

Old Provo Channel Enhancements Continue

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

While most of the construction on the Provo River Delta Restoration Project is complete, construction continues on recreational features along the Old Provo Channel. Through the last half of 2025, crews focused on completing the downstream dam located near Utah Lake State Park. Crews paused construction at the end of November but will return in the coming weeks to wrap up remaining work on the dam.

Following dam completion, work will shift upstream where the crew will install non-motorized boat launch facilities at Alligator Park and the West Trailhead to facilitate the launching of canoes and kayaks into the old channel. In early spring, a contractor will mobilize on site to install three fishing platforms along the old channel that will help improve fishing access for those pursuing the many fish stocked into the channel by Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

Provo River Delta Area Management Mix

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 (when completed), 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!