HEBER CITY — Deer Creek Reservoir has been at its lowest level in years and this year's spring runoff did little to help, water users say.
Keith Denos, manager of the Provo River Water Users Association, said below-average spring runoff, a drawdown to aid spawning of the endangered June Sucker and water-use requirements by metropolitan users in Salt Lake and Utah counties have contributed to the problem.
"This is a low-water year, so the annual spring runoff has contributed little to the reservoir," Denos said. The low water level will impact boaters, fishermen and campers at the reservoir this summer, Denos said, because the water line will be farther from the shore and camping areas.
"It would mean the docks will have to be extended," Denos said.
He also said water quality is a serious factor where Deer Creek is concerned, since it is a source of municipal water.
"If water quality becomes a problem, we would ask Deer Creek State Park to restrict the number of boaters allowed on the reservoir. I don't foresee any restrictions this year, but if we have another dry year or two, it may be necessary to impose restrictions," he said.
Denos believes runoff in the Provo River peaked this past week, which is earlier than usual. He said the high peak flow has been around only 1,300 cubic feet per second, while in past years it has reached highs of 2,000 to 2,500 cfs.
The Central Utah Water Conservancy District has the right to store water in Deer Creek or Jordanelle Reservoir on a space available basis. The district has been storing most of its water in Jordanelle and drew off its water in Deer Creek to provide flow for spawning of the June Sucker in the lower river.
That draw down has now ceased, and the flow in the lower Provo River is down to about 75 cfs.
In addition, the Provo River Water Users Association has been drawing off water to satisfy the demands of its users — the metropolitan water districts of Provo, Orem and Salt Lake City and the Jordan Valley Water Treatment Plant.
"I don't see Deer Creek Reservoir rising until fall. It may drop a little lower than it is now," Denos said. "It's about 16,000 acre feet below where it was last year at this time."