The Central Utah Water District and the Salt Lake County Water District are planning to spend $600 million in taxes to dam the Diamond Fork River and the Bear River.
The Diamond Fork Dam will provide sub-sidized irrigation water to an estimated 13 alfalfa farmers in Juab County and will cost $300 million. The Bear River Dam will provide water to Salt Lake County residents and will cost another $300 million.In the past, Salt Lake County residents have paid the majority of CUP taxes yet received only 24 percent of the water. Salt Lake County is experiencing rapid growth. Its water demand is expected to be 275 times that of Juab County's in the coming decade, yet Salt Lake County will not receive one drop from the proposed Diamond Fork Dam. Both counties will receive nearly the same amount of water from the proposed dams.
The Central Utah Water District should save taxpayers $500 million by diverting half of the water from Strawberry Reservoir north to Salt Lake and Utah counties, using existing water channels. This will supply Salt Lake County with the same amount of water that the Bear River Dam would provide.
It will eliminate the need for Utah Lake Treatment Plant by delivering cheaper, cleaner, CUP water to the project's main financier. Better yet, it will leave the Diamond Fork River and Bear River in their existing state for hunters, fishers and other outdoor enthusiasts. This proposal will only cost Utah's taxed-out taxpayers $100 million.
Sydney Reuling
Salt Lake City