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Show Little Cottonwood Canvon Watershed Options Little Cottonwood Canyon is used for municipal water supply by Salt Lake City and other municipalities, and serves as a major recreational area. Jurisdiction in the Canyon is split among Town of Al ta (upper Canyon) , Salt Lake City (watershed) , U.S. Forest Service (Federal lane management), City-County Board of Health (water quality), and Salt Lake County (planning, zoning, and building permits). Salt Lake County Service Area #3 services Snowbird ·for water supply, sewer, fire protection, and other governmental services. Other municipalities using Little Cottonwood Creek water rely on Salt Lake City watershed protection policies. Two major ski areas, Al ta and Snowbird, utilize much of the terrain in the upper Canyon. Alta Town has a population of approximately 445, and Snowbird has an existing capacity of 904 lodging units (with almost 3,000 units in its private master plan). Both Alta and Snowbird rely on water contracts with Salt Lake City for their water supply. Neither entity is using its fully allotted contract amount. A sewer line runs up Little Cottonwood Canyon, servicing Snowbird and Alta. Water quality is excellent -- the best of the Wasatch Front Canyons serving Salt Lake City for water supply. Recreational use at Forest Service picnic areas, campgrounds, and trail system is considerable, though not as great as Big Cottonwood Canyon. Little Cottonwood A: Status Quo Watershed Management Salt Lake City enjoys excellent water quality from Little Cottonwood Creek, and has a good working relationship with other Canyon governmental entities. There are several proposals for development in Little Cottonwood Canyon, including ski resort expansion and condominium development. The Salt Lake County Little Cottonwood/Alta Master Plan in 1973 established a carrying capacity for Little Cottonwood Canyon. That plan will be updated in the County Canyons Master Plan in 1987-88. While existing management in Little Cottonwood Canyon has protected Salt Lake City watershed interests in the Canyon, proposed development and use levels could impact Canyon watershed protection if not carefully regulated. Al6 |
