| OCR Text |
Show Site Number: 42SL303 Site Type: Irrigation canal Site Description: The Brighton Canal conveys water from the west side of the Jordan River northward past Salt Lake City. The documented segment consists of a 20 meter (65.62 foot) long section of the canal, which is located behind and east of a residential development just north of 2770 South in West Valley City. The segment runs in a southeast to northwest direction. Riparian vegetation covers an approximately 4 meter (13 foot) wide corridor extending along the western edge of the canal. A two-track road runs along the eastern side of the canal and into a large, open space to the northeast, which consists of patches of riparian vegetation surrounding agricultural fields. The Brighton Canal is an enlargement of an existing canal dug in 1859 which has been extensively modified and extended since its construction. This surface canal, which runs above the underground Decker Lake Canal, is currently in use. The Brighton has a concrete headgate with several underground pipes. Site History: Brighton Canal construction began in the early 1870's as an enlargement of a previously existent canal built in 1859 by Feramorz Little and others. The "Little" canal was extended in 1862 by the Jordan Irrigation Company, who took over its operation completely in 1864. Between the years 1872 and 1877, the canal was further extended, through the auspices of Salt Lake County. In 1882, the Brighton Canal Company was organized, for the purpose of assuming responsibility for canal operations previously conducted by an irrigation district. "In 1903, it was reported that water was conveyed into the canal by a diversion dam with timber gates that regulated the water flow. After three mile, the canal split into two branches, each about 4 miles long. By 1939, the canal was being used by the Brighton Extension Canal Company for irrigation; they may have enlarged or improved the canal at that time" (Hom 2004:26). National Register Assessment: Eligible Class III Pedestrian Survey A total of 18.5 acres was subjected to a Class III pedestrian survey. The acreage surveyed occurs in fives small parcels distributed across the route of the corridor and numbered from east to west (Figures 1 and 2). Each survey area is briefly described below. No evidence was found in any of the pedestrian survey areas for any archaeological sites or other cultural resources. Description of Survey Areas Survey Area 1- A small irregularly shaped 4.4 acre parcel located on the east side of the Jordan River just south of the Highway 201 freeway. The parcel is an open field behind an industrial building and flanking the canal. No historic properties were found. Survey Area 2 - A rhomboidal shaped parcel located on the west side of the Jordan River just east of Winton Street and North of2320 South in an area that is now part of a business park. The surveyed area is 5.1 acres. The parcel is an open area flanking the canal, with relatively heavy vegetation in some parts, particularly the southern half. No historic properties were found. Survey Area 3 - A narrow somewhat linear shaped area that covers a portion of an open agricultural field south of the southern end of the jog in Winton Street south of 2455 South and including the undeveloped east ends of several lots that front onto Chesterfield Street to the west. The surveyed area follows the proposed route of the corridor and covers approximately 3.3 acres. It extends due south from 14 |
