New Utah Dive Site...maybe

[Rogue]

Picked this up this morning from the Daily Herald.
For those outside of 'happy valley' A.F. is Americian Fork

Thursday, 10 April 2008
A.F. may use reservoir for scuba, kayaking
Barbara Christiansen - NORTH COUNTY STAFF
Lessons in kayaking, canoeing and scuba could be a part of the new secondary irrigation reservoir to be built near the Fox Hollow Golf Course, if state and federal officials give the proposal their approval.

The proposal is an attempt to meet requirements to have the American Fork property continue to have recreation uses. The land was included in property granted to the city to be used for recreational purposes. If that use does not continue, the property would revert to state ownership. Another option would be to mitigate the property with other land that would have new recreational uses, but city officials considered that more expensive and time-consuming.

The city had proposed putting trails and picnic benches around the reservoir, but when they met with Seth McArthur, who coordinates state and federal grants, they got the message that there needed to be more.

Howard Denney, director of public works, said McArthur first indicated that his experience told him the trails and picnic area would not be enough for the federal government to call it recreational property.

"We did it level by level, adding onto it," Denney said. "When we got to the scuba park, there was a brightening of his demeanor. He told us that if we could provide a recreational activity not available in the area, it would go a long ways toward solving the problem."

City engineer Andy Spencer said the canoeing and kayaking lessons would be under the city's recreation department. The city would probably turn over the scuba lessons to an outside entity.

All programs would be available only from April to October when there is water in the reservoir. As the city grows closer to being fully built out, there may be times of the day when the water level is too low to conduct the lessons, even during the summer months, Spencer said.

In a meeting last week, the council members mulled the options.

"It seems like a minimal cost to provide this," said Councilman Dale Gunther. "In my opinion, we have got to find recreation use for this, and [scuba] makes sense to me."

Recreation director Derric Rykert was enthusiastic.

"I'm actually excited about it," he said. "I think it is some opportunities we don't have."

Denney said the city's current proposal would first be reviewed by the state Parks and Recreation Department, then sent on to representatives of the federal government.

"I am just guessing, but it could perhaps take a month or so," Denney said.

Until the city gets federal approval, construction of the reservoir is on hold.

I know there is another site under consideration in Utah County that is geothermal.

[mwhities]

Very nice! I'm glad to see the city involved with it.

[Desert_Diver]

I live in West Jordan. I'm not familiar with AF. Where is the Fox Hollow Golf Course?

If this is a lake (or reservoir), what is the viz going to be like. Blue Lake and Tooele Seabase both have a horrible visibility problem with algea in the summer. And there is absoluetly no chance of me diving a non-thermal water site in the dead of winter.

Art

[Rogue]

Originally Posted by Desert_Diver

I live in West Jordan. I'm not familiar with AF. Where is the Fox Hollow Golf Course?

If this is a lake (or reservoir), what is the viz going to be like. Blue Lake and Tooele Seabase both have a horrible visibility problem with algea in the summer. And there is absoluetly no chance of me diving a non-thermal water site in the dead of winter.

Art

West Jordan? Same here.
Fox Hollow is the old Tri City course. It's about 1400 North and 200 East. There's a horse track to the east where it could go and plenty of farm land on the west.
I don't think the city has really looked to deep (pun intended) into it yet from what I get out of the article. Since it's going to be used primarily for irrigation I would guess they will dig a hole and fill it with water so viz will be limited.
I would hope that if it goes forward they would solicit input from the dive community; aquatic life, navigation course, platforms, lining and make it deeper than 20 foot. Not going to be geo thermal. That is another site.

[bechwel]

I worked for Weber Water in Davis County while in high school and will tell you I'm out. We pulled some pretty nasty stuff from the reservoirs. Don't know but pretty sure when they really think about this it won't make to much sense. COLD WATER the water is always cold because it's coming from streams. So go up A.F. canyon and swim for 30 minutes then dive irrigation res same water same temp. Can you see scuba classes training in that. I for one would say scuba sucks if my first dives where in 40 degree water or colder. My lds gos to the rec center in bountiful and people complain because the water is 85. I hope tax payers think this one through. Ok put in a irrigation res than put in a rec res that makes more sense to me . On a happier note going to Blue lake thurs and fri. Night dives thur and spear fishing fri going after trash fish hoping to clean things up some.

[stekun]

Wow, this is the first I've heard about this. I live just a few blocks from Fox Hollow. I'm excited at the prospect of having an easy place to dive just minutes from my home, but I agree with some of the other sentiments here as well. I don't know what all they have in mind, but it seems like an odd location for anything other than a really, really cold mud pit... probably not the ideal environment for diving. If this is for real, I do hope they consult the diving community and make it a nice facility.

If anyone else gets any updates on what they're planning, keep us updated!

[5513]

Any place in Utah to dive is a plus. Tired of Blue Lake (really green) and the crater.

[pir8]

I tried the Creator once. Toooo hot, so much so it got uncomfortable after abou 10 min.

[Desert_Diver]

Originally Posted by pir8

I tried the Creator once. Toooo hot, so much so it got uncomfortable after abou 10 min.

When the wind is blowing and the temp is well below freezing and the snow around the parking lot is 6+ feet deep, that 91 degree water feels good.

Art

[GreenJimmy]

South Jordan here, any other place to dive in UT is most welcome Even if it is cold (dry suit here)