Swaner Design, a Salt Lake City-based landscape architect firm, will design seven recreation access points along the 10-mile corridor between Deer Creek Reservoir and Jordanelle Dam as part of the Provo River Restoration Project. Swaner Design was selected by the Utah Reclamation Mitigation Conservation Commission (URMCC).
URMCC spokesperson Diane Simmons said the objective of the project is to realign the area back to its 'natural channel' and to provide public access for 'non-impactive' activities.
The URMCC is funding The Provo River Project as a part of the Central Utah Project. Sumner Swaner, of Swaner Design, said the project will restore the diversity and productivity of fish and wildlife habitat along the middle Provo River. Plans include the addition of boardwalks, fishing piers and trails.
Joan Degiorgio, URMCC planning manager, said Swaner Design was selected from 'an impressive list' of firms because Swaner best understood the commission's vision for the project.
After winning the bid last week, project manager Scott Blake said the restoration and access points would be developed to minimize impacts to the natural environment.
'Our goal is to sensitively enable a link between the Provo River, its habitats and those who visit,' Blake said. 'We want to send a message to recreationists along the river about how to delicately view and use the restoration that is occurring.'
According to the firm, projected outcomes of the restoration include a five-fold increase in the trout population, doubling the riparian bird population, and diverse revegetation.
Swaner Design is working on the Wheeler Historic Farm in Salt Lake City and the Farmington Bay Water Foul Management Area.