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 Parkway to the West Trailhead later this summer. For the public’s 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.
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 during the run, representing only a portion of the total number of spawning fish. Check out the accompanying Utah Division of Wildlife Resource’s Instagram page for more information. Monitoring of larval suckers has been underway for a few weeks, and early results show large numbers of larvae coming downstream into the delta.
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 common 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:
Common Carp:
A problem for Utah Lake; they are legal to catch and harvest
Barbels (little whiskers) on each side of the mouth; mouth is large and downturned
Large, obvious scales that are visible underwater
Thick, deep-bodied, bulky and heavy; can grow to 47”
Usually bronze, brown, or gold, sometimes with darker backs; fins often orange or brownish
June sucker:
Federally protected; it is illegal to catch or harvest them
No barbels. Smaller, more pointed snout; mouth is on the underside but tighter and less prominent
Smaller, subtle scales
More streamlined and torpedo-shaped; only grow to 17-24”
Silvery-gray to light gray, with a clean, smooth look; fins generally gray or lightly tinted and more subdued
As seen in the video below, June sucker become darker on the back and lighter on the belly when spawning. This darkening is thought to be an adaptation for camouflage in the river environment during the spawning period.
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
Delta Habitat and Monitoring
Hunting/Waterfowl Management Area
Volunteer Stewardship
Contact: Utah Division of Wildlife Resource’s Central Region; phone (801) 491-5678
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
Delta Gateway Park
Old Provo Channel south bank (except for private property)
Contact: Provo City Parks and Recreation; phone (801) 852-6600
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!