'Utah Lake is My Lake' Utah Lake Authoritys new campaign to revive the landmark

Take a second chance on Utah Lake," Kelly Cannon-ODay said.

Cannon-O'Day, the Utah Lake Authority communications and events manager, is part of a mission to spread the Utah Lake is My Lake campaign. The project is aimed at Utah Valley residents in an effort to change perspectives about the natural landmark.

The campaign launched in April with an internet ad starring former "Studio C" co-stars Jason Gray and Whitney Call. The familiar faces guided the campaign to quick popularity, and many locals were talking about it in no time.

At the end of May, the Utah Lake Authority hosted the annual Utah Lake Festival. Cannon-ODay said the response to the PR project was incredibly positive.

To an outsider, this PR move may have seemed unnecessary. After all, Utah Lake stands out like a shimmering crystal lodged between the surrounding mountains. However, past misuse and environmental issues have garnered a negative reputation among residents.

Cannon-ODay explained that among other issues, the largely unregulated Geneva Steel Mill would dump byproducts into the lake during the 20th century. Invasive species like carp and wild plants have also choked up the waters resources, leaving them insufficient for native life.

The most common fear people have regarding the water is the threat of harmful algae blooms (HABs), which pollute water with toxins that pose a threat to wildlife and swimmers.

These issues have given Utahns the ick when it comes to having recreational activities at the lake.

Eden Reinwand, a BYU student from Orem, grew up kayaking on the Provo River, visiting the hot springs and otherwise being outdoors. However, she isnt a fan of Utah Lake.

Its not somewhere Id go to hang out in the summer months, Reinwand said. Though she enjoys birdwatching there in the winter, she has had negative experiences in the summer.

She described her past trips to the lake as distasteful, with a lack of usable shoreline, hot mud that releases sulfurous fumes into the air and copious amounts of bugs.

The mosquitoes there are crazy this year I had to wash my car twice just to get the bugs off, she said discontentedly. There was one time when it was nice, but its because I was looking at it from a distance.

While it will be hard to overcome peoples bad memories, decade-long efforts to restore the lake and increase safety awareness are improving its health and making it a more inviting place for tourists.

One such effort is the

June Sucker Recovery Implementation Program. This is a collaboration between 11 agencies to replenish the June Sucker, a fish that is only found in Utah Lake and was once near extinction.

[The work is] apolitical, Russ Franklin, the project manager, said. Theres something for everybody to appreciate. As someone whos spent their whole life around the lake, he is thrilled to see the growth the project has achieved since its conception in the 80s.

In the 90s, there were less than 300 spawning fish in the lake. After decades of improving habitats, changing wildlife regulations and even genetic augmentation, that number has grown to an estimated 40,000.

To recover a species is pretty amazing, Russ said. We accomplished that in the desert.

While native species are benefiting greatly from ongoing efforts, residents like Reinwand still feel that not enough has been done to make it a better experience for Utahns

Its nice for [wildlife], but its not that nice for people. They didnt restore it for us to use recreationally, Reinwand said.

Regarding HABs, Cannon-ODay clarified that its all part of being a responsible recreator. She said that if people do their homework beforehand, they will be just fine.

When it comes to algae blooms, its just another part of being safe on the lake, she affirmed. Youre way more likely to get in trouble if you're not wearing life jackets, or if you arent being smart and looking at weather conditions.

The Utah Lake Authority is still trying to spread the good news of the lakes revival. Through assemblies about water conservation, field trips at elementary schools and community events, they hope to make days on the lake a normal part of Utah life.

[We want people to] come to their lake, claim ownership of it. Enjoy this natural resource that is theirs, Cannon-ODay said.

At the Utah Lake Festival, she was thrilled to see families gathered by the shore playing games, swimming and creating memories that last a lifetime. For her, that is the biggest goal behind the campaign.