New Utah Dive Site...maybe

[Scott]

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.

 

[heaveninawetsuit]

Interesting. I used to teach out in Utah a few years ago. I just emailed the shop I used to work with to see what their take is on this.

Thanks for the info.

 

[rollerboi]

Huh. That's right in my backyard, living in Pleasant Grove. I wonder what the timeline on this will be once it gets approved.

I also wonder how restrictive things end up as far as regulations and rules.

 

[Zapple]

That would be very nice to have.

 

[PaulSmithTek]

Cant Wait. I am going to get in contact with the state and find out some more information.

 

[rollerboi]

Resurrecting this thread from the dead. Does anyone have any updated information on this? All I was able to find was the following line from the 3/19/09 AF city council minutes: "Howard Denney reported that there would be a change order on the lower reservoir project."

As of an article June 12: "He said the city had received clearance from the state to be able to construct the lower irrigation reservoir near the Fox Hollow Golf Course. This was contingent on approval to change the recreational uses in the area from equestrian to lessons in kayaking, canoeing and scuba diving."

Currently on the AF Utility Department website: "Recently the lower reservoir which is visible from 100 East at approximately 1500 North was completed and filled. Water from the pond now feeds the pressurized irrigation system with water which is a blend of surface water from a variety of sources. The water will be screened, but not treated."

Any word on recreational use? I'm not able to find an e-mail address for Derric Rykert to ask. I e-mailed the city through the form on the website, and hope to hear back within the week.

 

[rollerboi]

The Daily Herald reports that there will be an "open house" at the new American Fork Lower Reservoir today 7/18/09, from 12-2. The article mentions the scuba diving, but it's unclear if the diving is being lumped in with the canoe/kayak program that isn't scheduled to begin until next year. I will try to stop by and ask, if I am in the area (my wife has a baby shower today and I'm chauffeuring..).

American Fork opens reservoir to public

The public is invited to tour the area around the lower reservoir of the American Fork pressurized irrigation system today from noon to 2 p.m. It is at 1500 N. 200 East, American Fork.
...
The reservoir will serve as a storage facility for the American Fork Pressurized Irrigation System. There also will be an upper reservoir at the mouth of American Fork Canyon, which is expected to be completed by next spring.
...
The reservoir will also serve as a recreational facility. A scenic, paved one-third mile pedestrian trail borders the reservoir. It will have benches around it.

The American Fork recreation department will eventually provide canoeing, kayaking and scuba diving certification programs at the reservoir. The AFPI project will be donating canoes and kayaks for the program, which will begin next year.

"I am excited to have this venue in our city and available for recreational use," said Derric J. Rykert, the American Fork recreation department director. "I think people from all over Utah County, and even the state, will come to utilize this facility. We are working to develop opportunities and programs for scuba diving, canoeing, kayaking and possibly other activities. There will be opportunities for Scouting groups, families, clubs and many others to come and enjoy these outdoor activities right here in American Fork City. I think the trail will provide a safe, beautiful place to come and be active with family and friends."

Fast facts
Reservoir is 22 feet deep
The surface area is 2.2 acres
It is 550 feet by 250 feet
It has a capacity of 8,146,275 gallons

 

[rollerboi]

Another update. Looks like they almost started providing Scuba classes, but have cancelled that and will be renting the facility out to local dive shops (probably the best course of action, IMO). Not sure what the status is of actually going out there to dive in a recreational sense. I guess if you're a boy scout, you can go kayaking for 2 hours, $4.

Boo to the mayor for wanting to nix the scuba diving part.

State-required scuba delayed in Amer. Fork

State-required scuba delayed in Amer. Fork

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Caleb Warnock - Daily Herald | Posted: Friday, April 2, 2010 1:53 pm | No Comments Posted
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At the last minute, American Fork canceled scuba classes that were to begin on April 1, but said residents will soon get the opportunity again.
American Fork had been scheduled to begin offering scuba classes at its new reservoir along 100 East, as part of a state requirement, but has now decided to rent the reservoir out instead.
The city is being required by the state to offer recreation programs at the reservoir, and not just any programs. That is because the land was sold to the city under a recreation-only deed, and had been home to the city's equestrian riding club for decades. In order to remove the horse club, and get state permission to use the land for a pressurized irrigation reservoir, American Fork had to promise to offer some kind of recreation on the land that was not available anywhere else in the city. The only use the city could come up with was scuba diving, though officials also agreed to offer kayaking, canoeing, and "supervised recreational fishing."
At one point former mayor Heber Thompson had asked city staff to find a way to get the city out of the onerous requirement of having to offer scuba diving, but state officials stood firm.
Now, "we will basically be renting the facility to use for groups, Scout groups, youth groups," said American Fork recreation director Derric Rykert on Thursday.
The city had advertised on its Web site that scuba classes would begin at 5 p.m. on April 1, a fact which Rykert said he had been unaware of before he was contacted by the Daily Herald.
"Scuba training will be conducted at the new completed pressurized irrigation pond," read the announcement. "The pond will also offer other recreational activities. Those activities include kayaking and canoeing, and supervised recreational fishing."
On Wednesday, Rykert met with city officials, and the decision was made to offer to rent the reservoir to scuba companies for classes, rather than having the city conduct classes. The city has contacted one or more scuba training companies "and there is definitely interest there," said Rykert. At some point those companies will send experts to evaluate the reservoir for potential classes.
In the meantime, if Scouts or other groups want to kayak or canoe, the city is proposing to charge them $4 per person to use the pond. They must bring their own equipment, he said. If elected officials approve that fee this month, rentals could begin on May 1.
"We anticipate it will be two-hour blocks where groups can go out and do canoeing and kayaking," Rykert said, noting some local Scout leaders have already said the opportunity "will be awesome. It is going to be available right here close to town. They can get some experience right here close to home before a trip."
For information, call the American Fork Fitness Center at (801) 763-3084.