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Show CHAPTER 4 Changes in the Watershed SIGNIFICANT CHANGES SINCE THE 1988 WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN A. LITTLE DELL RESERVOIR Little Dell Reservoir is located in Parleys Canyon, east of Salt Lake City. Construction of Little Dell Reservoir began in 1988 and was completed in 1993. The reservoir receives its water flow from Dell Creek, a tributary to Parleys Creek. The reservoir was constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers; co- sponsored by the Salt Lake City Metropolitan Water District and Salt Lake County, and is operated by Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities. The reservoir was developed for flood control and municipal and industrial water supply. Maximum capacity for the reservoir is 20,500 acre- feet of water. During a year with average water demands, the surface area of the water may fluctuate between 50 and 249 acres. Recreation development is located on 39 acres of land on the north side of the reservoir. The development includes 130 parking spaces, two boat launches ( non- motorized, hand- carried watercraft), six vault restrooms, 56 picnic sites, and a small interpretive center. Several trails are constructed around the reservoir. A total of 19,400 linear feet of trails are developed. Trails are built for a variety of uses including walking, biking, hiking, as well as a hardened trail for universal access. B. GROWTH ON THE EASTERN EDGE OF THE WATERSHED Since the 1988 Watershed Management Plan was adopted, the areas on the eastern edge of the Salt Lake City Watershed have experienced remarkable growth in population, building permits, and income. The two counties that border the Salt Lake City Watershed on the east side are Summit County and Wasatch County. During the period between 1990 and 1995, Summit County was ranked by the U. S. Census Bureau as the 3rd fastest growing county in the nation, with a population increase of 50 percent. The current population is 23,560 but is expected to more than double by the year 2020 reaching 50,700 people. The number of building permits granted has increased from 170 in 1986 to 770 in 1994. There has been a rapid increase in residential building permits, and an increase in proposed ski resort expansion projects. Page 53 |