Watersheds
Salt Lake Ranger District
Various canyons along the Wasatch Front have been designated as
protected watershed areas in order to protect water for the Salt
Lake City area. Over 60% of the water used by residents of the Salt
Lake Valley comes from canyons in the Wasatch Mountains. Regulations
have been enacted so this vital source of culinary water will be
kept clean.
Information on this page can help you understand these regulations
and make your visit to the canyons more enjoyable.
What is a Watershed?
A watershed is defined as that geographical or geological area
that is drained by one river system. For example, if a drop of rain
lands near a ridge line, it will eventually run off, or flow, to
the stream at the canyon bottom. All surface and ground water which
contributes to a stream would be part of that watershed.
Regulations governing the use of watershed areas protect all sources
of water that contribute to the stream system or watershed. Good
regulations and adhering to them, will ensure the water quality
for the Salt Lake Valley.
Protected Watershed Areas Include:
- all of Little Cottonwood Canyon
- all of Big Cottonwood Canyon
- all of Parley's Canyon, north and east of Mountain Dell Reservoir
- all of Little Dell Canyon (toward East Canyon)
- all of Lamb's Canyon
- all of City Creek Canyon
Watershed Regulations:
Salt Lake City - County Health Regulation
#14 (watersheds) is authorized by Utah Code Annotated 26-24-20.
It is unlawful for any person:
- to permit a dog (s) to be taken into the watershed area. This
does not apply to seeing eye/hearing dogs or law enforcement dogs.
- to pollute or allow pollution of any water in the watershed
area.
- to operate any type of motor vehicle upon the property within
the watershed except on a highway or road open for public use,
approved roads in residential/cabin areas, official picnic/camp
area roads, and ski area parking lots. Emergency and official
government vehicles are exempt when on official business.
- to deposit any human excreta within the watershed area other
than into approved toilets. Cesspools are also prohibited.
- to permit a horse or any other domestic animal into the area
without a permit.
- to camp overnight except in officially designated campgrounds.
This does not apply to backpacking.
- to backpack camp unless the campsite is located over 200 feet
from the nearest water source
- to bathe, swim or wash clothes, diapers, eating utensils, or
any other object in any spring, marsh, stream, or other water
source.
- to throw or break glass.
These regulations apply in the entire canyon
area from ridge top to ridge top, not just in the immediate area
of surface water.
Special Considerations:
There are special regulations governing construction,
sewage work, livestock operations, underground waste-water systems,
and water systems.
Permanent residents of the canyon watershed
areas may obtain special permits for one dog per household. The
responsibilities and qualifications for the permit are very strict.
For further information on these matters call the Salt Lake City
- County Health Department at 530-7500 or Department of Public Utilities
at 483-6705.
"Keep It Pure" Watershed Education
Campaign:
Salt Lake City Public Utilities and the Salt
Lake Ranger District are starting an exciting and extensive Watershed
education and awareness program along the Wasatch Front called "Keep
It Pure". The source water areas, called the ":Protected
Watersheds", include City Creek, Parley's, Big Cottonwood and
Little Cottonwood Canyons. Protecting the water quality of these
source water canyon areas is essential for all of us! With an increasing
number of visitors to the canyon areas, it is critical that we protect
our watershed areas so we continue to have high quality drinking
water.
If you would like to know more about the Salt
Lake City-Wasatch Front Watershed, please visit the "Keep It
Pure" website at http://www.slcgov.com/Utilities/watershed/default.htm
Enforcement:
Water regulations are enforced by the Salt
Lake County Sheriff's Office, the Salt Lake City Water Department,
the Salt Lake City - County Health Department, the US Forest Service,
and the Alta Marshal's Office.
Violations constitute a Class "B"
misdemeanor and in most cases a citation is issued to violators.
*This information was
taken off a brochure prepared by the Salt Lake County Sheriff's
Office.
We hope this information is helpful and makes your visit to the
canyons more enjoyable!
Protect Your Watershed!
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