The Jordan River Commission (JRC) and the Utah Division of Forestry Fire and State Lands, are pleased to announce $500,000 in grants to fund improvements to the Jordan River corridor. The funding, which was provided by the Utah State Legislature, will go towards a wide variety of projects from public boat launches, to restoration projects, to bridging the last gap in the Jordan River Trail. Eleven funding requests were received in response to a Request for Proposals, and totaled $1.1 million in requests.
The grant program offers funding up to 25% of the total project costs, and the remaining 75% will come from matching contributions raised by the project proponents. With these matching contributions, the grant funding is being leveraged into $12.8 million in investments in the river corridor. “This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate as a region to enhance the Jordan River corridor,” says the JRC Executive Director Laura Hanson. “We hope these projects help demonstrate what is possible for the Jordan River Corridor and help to build an even broader base of support for its continued enhancement.”
The Jordan River corridor, which runs through three counties and fifteen cities, provides many critical services, such as mitigating floods, recharging groundwater, filtering pollution, providing critical wildlife habitat, offering recreational opportunities and being an economic driver for the region. The project funded by these grants will enhance the river corridor as a recreational destination, improve ecosystem integrity, and facilitate greater awareness of the opportunities for further enhancement of the river corridor. The projects receiving funding are as follows:
- Big Bend Habitat Restoration – Phase 2: $81,811.49
This several phase project includes: a community fishery, trails, an overlook structure, 1-mile of restored river corridor. Contact: Charles Tarver, City of West Jordan, 801-569-5060.
- Jordan River Parkway Trail – North Temple Bridge: $154,639.12
A 1,200 ft, ADA accessible bridge that spans two active freight rail lines, and connects what will be the final gap in the Jordan River Parkway Trail. Contact: Dan Bergenthal, Salt Lake City, 801-535-7106.
- Three Creeks Park – Phase 2: $24,238.00
A new park space located at the confluence of Red Butte, Millcreek, and Emigration Creeks with the Jordan River. Contact: Tyler Murdock, Salt Lake City, 801-972-7810.
- Jordan River Water Trail – Boat Launches: $21,300.00
Three new formal canoe and kayak launches in the Utah County section of the Jordan River. Contact: Rebecca Call, City of Saratoga Springs, 801-319-2605.
- Jordan River Water Trail Master Plan: $35,000.00
Development of a plan for identifying locations and designs for a series of canoe/kayak launches in the Salt Lake County portion of the river. Contact: Lynn Larsen, Salt Lake County, 385-468-1817.
- Mystic Springs Nature Walk: $51,750.00
A restored series of wetland ponds, trails, interpretive signage, and picnic pavilions located near the Mystic Springs Trailhead along the Jordan River Parkway Trail at approximately 10000 South. Contact: Justin Beckett, City of South Jordan, 801-254-3742.
- Salt Lake County Watershed Symposium: $15,120.00
Support for an annual gathering of scientist, land managers, city and county officials, and members of the public to discuss efforts to improve the Jordan River Watershed. Contact: Marian Hubbard, Salt Lake County, 385-468-6641.
- Puncturevine Management: $13,482.00
A coordinated effort to target three specific sections of the Jordan River Parkway Trail that are plagued with puncturevine thorns. Also known as Goatheads, these thorns are notorious for puncturing bicycle tires. Contact: Sage Fitch, Salt Lake County, 801-381-9121.
- Interpretive Signage: $23,659.39
A series of new interpretive signs to be designed and installed at existing restoration sites along the Jordan River helping tell the story about the role of the Jordan River plays in the ecosystem, and the efforts underway to restore and enhance it. Contact: Marian Hubbard, Salt Lake County, 385-468-6641.
- Gillmore Ranch Conservation Easement: $ 50,000.00
Assistance in purchasing a conservation easement to protect 1,000 acres of open space along the Jordan River near its delta into the Great Salt Lake. Contact: Wendy Fisher, Utah Open Lands, 801-463-6156.
- Rowing Club Boat Storage and Launches: $29,000.00
Two boat launches to allow access to the Surplus Canal and the Jordan River public boaters, as well as storage for competition rowing shells for local rowing clubs. Contact: Mike Horrocks, Wasatch Rowing Foundation, 801-455-0187.
