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

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

2026-07-29 Boat Ramp Use-Family Paddling_MM.jpeg

Fishing Platforms: You may have noticed red fencing and warning signs remain on the three fishing platforms we constructed over the past month. While the piers are mostly complete, inspectors identified additonal work is needed to reinforce the stability and safety of the piers. This reinforcement will be taking place over the next few weeks. After they are completed, the piers will be tied into the Old Provo Channel trail as Utah County repaves the trail later this summer.

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.

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.

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 wider 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.

Graph shows abundance by year of various bird guilds in the Provo River Delta from 2017 to 2026

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

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!