Economic Issues

 Just a few short years ago many  farmers and landowners sold property under the threat of eminent domain for a blue ribbon fishery on the Provo River and its tributaries.  That property was acquired for riparian habitat and fishing access of this natural existing fishery. Part of the $25 million dollars spent for that project included approximately 3/4 mile of property adjacent to this stream. The government now proposes to  abandon this idea of habitat and eliminate the fishing and recreation opportunities in lieu of efficiency.

Recreation Resources

Hundreds of visitors come every week to the old highway 40 area to relax, go fishing, hiking and enjoy the wildlife. By removing this section of the Wasatch canal it take nearly a mile of this opportunity away.  

Loss of Visual Resources and Vegetation

Many visitors and new residents of Heber Valley come here for the outdoor feel.  Presently as one approaches the valley on the freeway from the north, they are greeted with green fields and natural streams lined with trees.  If this proposal is executed the visitors entering the valley from the north will be greeted with a barren ribbon of concrete and an access easement in which no trees are allowed. Not only are adjacent property values  negatively affected  but it diminishes the visual appeal and therefore overall real estate values diminish throughout entire valley.

Maintenance and Efficiency

 The upper section of the Wasatch Canal is at a decent grade.  The water moves smoothly and efficiently over a flat cobble bed through this stretch.  There is no danger of seepage and no loss of water what so ever.

In the last ten plus years this project has been implemented not one dollar of tax payer money has been expended to maintain this stretch of stream.  Weeds are minimal because of lush vegetation. No equipment time or cost of man hours were required to maintain this portion of the canal.  Currently efficiency is high and maintenance cost are virtually non existent.

Health and Safety

The most northern reach of the Wasatch Canal located from SR 32 to the Provo River diversion poses no health or safety risk.  It is not located above or adjacent to any populated areas.  It is located in the bottom of the valley. The stream bed also sits well below the elevation of surrounding terrain, some 6 to 10 feet below in much of the area.   No breach is possible therefore no life or property can be threatened by this stretch of the river.