The Provo River Delta

In October of 2024 The new River Delta was opened to the public. The Restoration project was a four year building process to get to where it is now.  It has been quite the undertaking and it appears that the local wildlife have taken a fancy to the project. Here is a list of some of the things that were done to make this happen:

• Approximately 23,050 linear feet of new channel was built.
• Skipper Bay Dike, along the west side of the delta project, was lowered to allow Utah Lake to connect with the delta when the lake level is above 4,487 feet.
• Construction of all delta channels and ponds was completed.
• Over 150,000 native plants were planted in the project area.
• An irrigation well was drilled and installed to help provide water for recent plantings.
• Approximately 58 acres of habitat were seeded and mulched.
• Phragmites and other invasive plants across the site have been controlled or contained.
• The original Provo River near Lakeview Parkway was downsized.
• A small dam close to Utah Lake State Park began construction, in order to maintain water levels in the existing Lower Provo River channel and to prevent fish from entering or leaving.
• Berms were constructed along the south edge of the delta and the new Provo River channel east of Lakeview Parkway.
• A variety of new amenities were constructed in the area.

(List taken from: https://wildlife.utah.gov/)

I guess when you are talking about an entire ecosystem 150,000 plants doesn't seem like that much. However, imagine kayaking through the beautiful Utah Lake before invasive species like the Phragmites took over and propagated the ecosystem. Controling any invasive take overs is one of the goals of the Delta. It is nice to paddle by the bulrush that highlight much of the landscape. It has a special feel to it. The Delta is close to the ancient ecosystem minus the many fish species that no longer exist in the ancient Lake. One of the purposes of the delta is the revitalization of one of those species. If you are lucky to see one of the June Suckers count it as an artifact of days gone past. 

Their are 226 documented bird species at Utah Lake and I Imagine that they will all find their way to the Delta eventually. Their seems to be a rotating presence just like any of the Utah Lake estuaries.

 What used to be one month ago hundreds of Cormerants hunting the white bass spawn has now turned into the hunting ground of the Osprey.

 Many ducks of different varieties take cover in the thickly wooded areas. Many of them hunker down on the islands and near the deadfall as the Provo River enters the Delta. 

As the water level goes down the Egrets and the Ibis have moved into the Shallows of the Delta where they forrage and roost during the day. They can often be seen together as you navigate wide around them, along the ridges of the clay channel drop offs marked by the vegitation line. If you need a better picture you can approach slowly with minimal movement. Ofcourse, you take your chances of spooking them.

I love their yellow feet. They remind me of Mickey Mouse gloves.

Enjoy the Delta:

Provo River Delta Parking (Click)