Utah Lake

[Mark Johnson]

Interesting article on KSL.com
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=9929089

[Josh Shirley]

Mike Egan and I have been speaking about this.

We think that the UWA should submit a windsurf / kiter proposal.

We would need to get input of what we as a group want from the lake and facilities.

I actually think this would take the commission by surprise. And they would have to keep considering the hidden wind sports. (meaning everyone is off the lake when it is windy.)

So what should we put in the proposal?

input please.

Josh Shirley
801 906-8396

[Sarah Ranes]

More places to get to the water, with out injuring yourself or equipment. some of the spots, I've seen people launch from, are down right dangerous We all know that it's a great place to sail, once you get to the water, but access is so limitied, it can be a real pain to get to the wind. the potential for a learning site could be developed alot. I'm sure you have better ideas about this than I do.

[Mark Johnson]

A long sandy jetty that stretches out west from Lindon beach that could be used to launch from.

[Leo Chan]

I think a makeover of Lindon Beach would help a lot. Can we chip in to remove those reeds and put down some pebbles or sands to make Lindon Beach more fun to launch from?

[Josh Shirley]

I think the reeds are protected. Or maybe not what do I know.

Lindon beach is already %100 better than it was 5 years ago.
Still has lots of room for improvement. Showers, bathrooms, less garbage in the water.

[Shawn Henderson]

So does increased facilities also result in increased fees? I do the state park pass thing, but I don’t want to have to pay for every access individually. vineyard, Saratoga, Spanish fork, American fork etc. Its nice to pick a launch that is conducive to the forecast and go without having to deal with marina memberships. In this budget climate I would be surprised if much investment is available for improved facilities, unless revenue increases were also on the table. That said I sure would love to see a turf rigging area, a hose to cleanup with and a safe path to the water to launch from. Actually I think a good place to start is access. Seems like for such a large lake there is very little shoreline that is publicly accessible (east shore particularly). So much private property. What are our rights? any public easements? and yes, the phragmites make the shoreline difficult to use. http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/article_faad6975-d0a4-5564-8f43-e4ba0e2d5bf2.html

[Josh Shirley]

Something to remember is they are trying to make or edit their master plan for the lake.

Hopefully the recession is temporary.

Government plans usually take years and years to coordinate to execute.

If anything was done this year I would place that up there with biblical miracles.

[Steven Nyhus]

It would be nice to be able to have more access to the shores of the lake. They did a burn in a few places to get rid of the reed problem, but more needs to be done. Continued improvement of Lindon Beach would be nice. Water to clean up with, bathroom facilities, and a grassy area. If they go through with their plan to build a causeway across the lake (not very likely), it would be nice to have areas to be able to pull off and park and have beach facilities to launch from like some of the ones you see in Florida. Getting rid of the carp will help to cut down on the sediment that gets stirred up when the wind blows (I hope they continue with that program).
As far as increased fees, the lake is state owned and a few of the access points are also state owned, so the park pass should work at all state owned areas. There are a couple private areas, and I don't know what can be done about access there.

[Shawn Henderson]

Something to remember is they are trying to make or edit their master plan for the lake.
Hopefully the recession is temporary.
Government plans usually take years and years to coordinate to execute.
If anything was done this year I would place that up there with biblical miracles.

I’m with you Josh. If we don’t make some noise nothing will ever be planned with us in mind. These things move very slowly and you have to be on board early. We already have to pay in many locations, so may as well get something in return. Squeaky wheels get the grease! Let me know how I can help.

[darrenfowler]

I have heard rumours of a bridge/causeway from Pelican Point to Provo.
If this is for real, I think it would be pretty awesome to have a couple man-made islands, or at least pullouts with some sort of launch access, in the middle of the lake.

[Mike Egan]

I think its a good idea to work on keeping the sites we have. It would be great to have more sites but, I feel its more important to not loss any. Also, we should work on improving water quality and cleaning up areas like mm19. The bridge looks like its going on the marine, its private, so who knows. If we lose this site we would only have the boat habor on the north winds. Lets get together and fight for what little we have, otherwise some developer will take it.

[Shawn Henderson]

A huge change at Provo Boat Harbor! http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=10048737

When it comes to endangered species... Our concerns and needs won't carry much weight.

I have never launched from the Provo harbor, so I am not one to know how it might effect wind sports.

Could be a good thing? or not.

[Josh Shirley]

Looks more like an idea thrown out there versus a plan of action.

I could see that having little effect on windsurfing there. In fact it might make it easier to get out of the harbor.

Some times the easiest way to launch is walking out the river. Which is usually freezing cold until you hit the wavy gravy.

There is a nice sand bar at the end of the river to stop and rest on. Usually about knee to waist deep.

[dave holmgren]

Hmm, how about cleaning up the lake itself? That water is NASTY...