In 1999, the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission
began the Provo River Restoration Project (PRRP) between Jordanelle Dam
and Deer Creek Reservoir to restore the middle Provo River’s pattern and
ecological function to a more natural condition. The project is expected
to be complete in 2007.
PRRP consists of restoring the straightened river
channel to a meandering channel mimicking historic conditions,
reconnecting the river to existing remnants of historic secondary
channels, and constructing small side channels to recreate aquatic
features. The project will provide a protected 800 to 2,200-foot-wide
corridor along the entire reach of the restored middle Provo River for
angler access and wildlife habitat. Existing levees are being set back
to create a near natural flood plain and to allow the river to change
course naturally. Planting and fostering streamside vegetation will
provide necessary environment for healthy fisheries. Side channels and
ponds will improve fish habitat and create habitat for wetland
dependent wildlife. Baseline
monitoring of riparian habitat, physical features, sensitive
species, neotropical migratory birds and related studies are underway.
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation construction crews helped initiate
the project by carving new meanders, side channels
and wetland ponds in a pilot project along approximately
1.5 miles of river corridor near the new Highway 40
river crossing. In 2000, about 1.3 miles of river
reconstruction was completed starting beneath the
bridge over Highway 40 and ending at River Road in
Midway. Similar to the pilot project, main channel,
secondary channel and wetlands features were created.
In 2001, work began on a 2-mile reach of the Provo
River that was completed the spring of 2002. In December
2002, crews completed reconstructing about 0.9 miles
of river immediately upstream from the pilot project,
above Cottonwood Canyon bridge to below Jordanelle
Dam. Much farther downstream, below Midway Lane in
Midway, reconstruction of two additional miles began
in 2003, with work continuing in the area through
2004. In 2005, restoration began an approximately
one and a half miles of river downstream from the
bridge over River Road in Midway. [Click
here for more info on the 2005 construction project].
Work continued in 2006, 2007 and 2008 with miscellaneous
projects, such as drop structure removal, parking
lot construction and revegetation. The designated
seven angler access sites have been completed along
the middle Provo providing parking lots, trash recepticles,
educational displays and new restrooms. [Click
here to view project status map]
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