The Utah Lake Commission is continuously working toward achieving its vision for Utah Lake. A few yeas ago, we finished a planning process that created the Utah Lake Master Plan, which defined our vision and identified numerous goals and objectives we want to accomplish on the lake. We have made great progress over the past few years and want to continue to do so. We are beginning a course of action to look much closer at the goals and objectives of our plan in an effort to identify specific improvements we both want and need at the lake.
Recently, a core group of Commission members met to identify specific projects that would help us achieve our vision. They focused on land use issues — primarily access improvement and expansion, as well as identifying areas they felt would be beneficial to preserve. The group came up with some great potential projects and ideas, the best of which was to reach out to you, the lake’s users, and ask you what would be on your “wish list” for the lake. Specifically, how do you think we can improve and potentially expand access to the lake? This is where your group can help us know what would make the lake better, more accessible, and enjoyable.
There were 30 legal access points (click link to view a map that lists the thirty access points) recognized in the Utah Lake Master Plan, and two more have been identified since then. This document titled “Access Oriented Objectives” lists them, provides links to view them, and their descriptions online. Some are more developed and accessible than others. The document also lists the specific objectives of the Master Plan that charge us with making these improvements. We just need to know what your needs are!
Here is where you can help us help you and your group. We are asking you to review these access points and let us know how we could make them better for your group, and for the general public. Which access points does your group use? What needs and wants would be most beneficial? Are you aware of any potential funding sources that can make your suggestions a reality? Are you willing to volunteer your time to make these ideas a reality? We’re hoping you will answer these questions and provide us with your “wish list” for the lake. We’ll then work hard to make those improvements a reality.
A related issue to this one are goals we have lumped into the category of “Preservation Oriented Objectives” This document identifies the goals associated with ensuring we preserve important areas around the lake. If you have an interest in this issue, we would ask that you review the objectives and let us know if you have a “wish list” for these goals as well. Once we have our “wish list,” we will determine how much funding is needed to make it a reality, and pursue long-term solutions to fund the projects.
Please note this is not the only aspect of the lake we will be looking at. We’re just starting. We will be going through a similar process for other categories of our goals including, recreation-oriented goals, education-oriented goals, and environment-related goals. We’ll invite your group to weigh in on these goals as well. For now, please focus your responses on access/land use-related wishes.
Feel free to make a comment below, comment on Facebook or Twitter, or the old fashioned way, email or call! We look forward to hearing your ideas of how to make Utah Lake better!
Photo courtesy of Don Lavange
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I swim Utah Lake as often as I possibly can, being an open water swimmer. Heck, I’ve even led some polar bear dips, this winter. But one thing that I think would benefit the lake, more than most, is a perimeter trail. If there was a nice trail around the entire lake (and much of this has already been done), runners, walkers (maybe even those on bikes) would have the opportunity to discover more of what comprises the United State’s 3rd largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi.
I’d be happy to help where I can, to see this develop.
http://www.swimwithoutwalls.com
http://www.bloodytoe.com
FRAGS in Provo Bay. Our access points are a joke muddy roads, No restroom services, too small of parking areas. For the last 12 years I have spent the money and time to travel to Idaho for my hunting and fishing. Less people and a lot better access. Utah you need to learn a lesson from our surrounding states.
I would like to see some access again where the out flow is for the waste water treatment plant in PG. It was always a great place to fish but since the upgrades the plant has been doing there has been no access.
I would like to see more free access points in the northern part of Utah Lake. I like to go fishing on my days off when the weather is good and don’t like to go too far. I’d love to try the lake but usually wind up going to ponds in Highland and Cedar Hills….just to keep me from going stir crazy!
We use access point 4. It needs a lot of clean up. The walking path is great! But along the shore there is lots of trash and other debris from people dumping tires etc. I would love to volunteer to help this area be improved! It would
We need one continuous bike trail around the entire lake. This would be a “selling point” for Utah County that would seriously make us a destination for bicyclists and related events. It would not cost very much, and would likely be tremendously popular.
I would like to see a lake access point and beach area to the north of Mulberry Beach by the Bayview South proposed subdivision. The subdivision has an existing access point at the pump station, but does not own any lake shore property.
I would also like to see a horse and bike trail around the entire lake.
I can volunteer time and resources.
Thanks,
Tim Heyrend 801-376-6216
Stock some decent game fish in the lake. Preferably cutthroats like it had when the Pioneers came before we fished them to near extinction.
I would like to see a boardwalk/white sand beach/restaurants and shops on the lake in Orem – maybe a Ferris wheel and a floating concert shell – like they have in Orlando – a real destination. Utah is the only state in the union that doesn’t promote water front property being prime entertainment and living, besides for fishermen and water skiers. I know, thinking BIG – but I can visualize it and know it would be awesome – just need some investors with vision.
My wife and I would very much like to see the lake and shore kept (and restored where needed) in its natural state. The photograph at the top of this page depicts this well. Sadly, many places along the lake have been cultivated and made to look park-like and lost the majestic and priceless beauty of the former naturalness.
A well-maintained trail, such as the one proposed by the Utah Lake Commission for the northern part of the lake, would be terrific. But I emphasize the term “WELL-MAINTAINED”. While I live on a section of the existing trail east of Talon’s Cove, I rarely use it because parts of the trail are muddy, overrun with knee-high weeds, and the surface is uneven and pockmarked, even in the summer. Any plan to create a lake trail should include funding plans for maintenance, to ensure the trail remains evenly graded and free of weeds. Such a trail would be attractive to joggers, hikers, mountain and trail bikers, etc. Perhaps a primitive, low-maintenance campground for overnight tents could be cleared if there is any public land nearby so that thru-hikers (who are hiking the entire trail) can spend the night mid-way along the trail. Thru-hiking the Utah Lake Trail could become an annual event for outdoors-oriented families and nature trekkers.
We live in Saratoga Springs behind Talons Cove Golf Course and are still held captive from enjoying the lake by a couple hundred feet of non indigenous grasses and weeds that separate the path from the water. Much of this vegetation has been eliminated to our north (about a mile away) but not in our neck of the woods. Removal of this bug and critter-infested weed area would enable residents in this area to actually enjoy the lake. Permission to construct private docks would be the ultimate hope.
We use access #27… No problem there. But we WOULD like to see eradication of the phragmites completed! Including those encroaching on our property, please!! We would also like the possibility of having our own dock so that we could utilize the lake for swimming and fishing… Possibly a limit of so many private docks per lineal feet of shoreline and we could partner up with neighbors? Thanks for the opportunity to be heard!
I absolutely love the idea of extending a trail around the lake. I would also love it of we could create a lake access, fenced, off-leash dog park. I would happily help raise funds and promote the idea if there is ample support.
As stated in the Master Plan, much of the Utah Lake shoreline is privately owned. I would very much encourage the ability for those owners to have private boat docks as one of the only lakes in Utah where that would be possible.
On other lakes throughout the country where this is allowed, the lakes are well used and the surrounding areas have been nicely improved with private investment.
My wish for Utah lake is to continue to restore the shoreline, clear the water, create beaches, and allow lake front owners to have their own boat docks.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Kim Beecher
I love living on the West side of the lake. The views across the lake are hard to beat. To improve the lake as a recreation destination, I would like to see:
1. A consistent effort to get rid of phragmites around the lake.
2. Dredging the lake to improve the water quality.
3. A decision to allow boat docks on private property along the lake shore.
My Utah Lake wish would be to see a beach area in Saratoga Springs.
I would like to see a walking/biking path around the entire lake as mentioned several times below.
In addition, some season long in water boat slips at several points around the lake would be a great addition and encourage more people to use the lake often! I would not expect these boat slips to be free and some with water and power access would be great and worth money!
More access points on the west side for fishermen and non-motorized water craft. Another campground on the west side would also be good.
I wish the lake were enjoyable to ski/surf/wakeboard on. It has such potential and is close by. Last fall the boat depth gauge read 5-6 feet for the 2 square miles we boated near American Fork harbor. After a run I would often find I could stand up on the bottom. I wish we could create a 20-foot deep, 1-2 square mile area of the lake for recreational boating. I realize the cost would be very high but the lake would become a much more desirable boating destination for us.
I also enjoy swimming in the lake preparing for local tri’s and would love a bike/run path along the perimeter as others have suggested.
Lastly, I wish the boat harbors would unite and all support the Utah State Park pass.
I want to see private docks allowed for property on Utah Lake. That would make property values in Saratoga skyrocket, which is good and bad, but mostly good. 🙂
Boat ramp and parking in Lehi (somewhere along the north shoreline of Utah lake.
I have to agree with the idea of a nice and uniform trail around the entire lake. With beautiful landscaping, water fountains for drinking and a water fountains that shoot water up into the air.
The trail could be used for marathons. Excellent!
A lot of people are going to hate this next idea and I hesitate to even say it, but i’d be lying if I said it didn’t appeal to me. I’d love to see the entire lake closed to all motor sports. It is such a shallow lake. Again, probably not possible given the huge attraction the lake is with motor boats, water skiing, and the like.
Mosquito abatement
The outflow needs to be less. Irrigation water for lawns must be cut.
It is basically impossible to get a boat off a trailer in Provo Marina.
The problem with many access points is they become useless as the water level drops. Utah Lake needs to return to a lake and less of a reservoir so that it can have more consistent and deeper water levels!
I would love for Utah Lake to remain deep enough that we can continue to boat on it in the summer. I live in Eagle Mountain and it would be amazing if they opened a large marina on the west side of the lake somewhere. The Saratoga Springs Marina is so small and fills up so quickly. It’s nice to live to close to the lake but it’s a pain to have to drive to American Fork or Provo to get to those marinas, having one right there on the west side would be awesome!
I would love to have increased controls to eliminate trash such as broken glass, nails littered on the few beach access areas. I know of several people who had stitches from stepping on broken glass. Post fines and enforce them. I clean up what I can but so many people just treat it like a dump and it seems like there are no consequences. Most lakes with swimming beaches never allow glass to be used. Lake mead has many injuries and is pushing a big campaign to reduce their glass problem.
I would like to see the trash cleaned up. Maybe put together a community clean the lake week.
A trail would be nice so long as its not overdone. Some things would be nice, but keep most development away from it. I don’t go to to lake expecting it to be manicured and commercialized, I go because of it’s nature appeal and to get away from the city.
And no mosquito abatement or glyphosate products. I know you are trying to “cure” nature but those are not good means. People in the area have a high enough cancer rate, despite the government saying those things are safe, that is not the case. Some other cities have done natural treatments for mosquitoes with a few different things together, and it has been cheaper reaching it’s objectives. Just an idea to think outside the box
More structure for fish in the lake. I think the carp removal process is great but what would really help the game fish is more structure expesialy around the fishing access points. Couldn’t old Christmas trees but sunk in some spots for structure?