Popular Tibble Fork Reservoir open after year of construction


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AMERICAN FORK CANYON — Surrounded by the scenic vistas in American Fork Canyon, Tibble Fork Reservoir is once again full after a $7 million project to rebuild the dam that was originally built in 1966.

After a year of construction work, the dam now meets current engineering and safety regulations. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Tuesday at the dam.

“Safety was the main priority because there are a lot of people who live downstream from this dam and several thousand people would be impacted if this dam were to fail,” said Bronson Smart, a state engineer with the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Not only was the dam strengthened, it was raised 15 feet, which significantly increases water storage at the reservoir.

“We went from 70 acre feet of storage to 400 acre feet and 200 acre feet of that is usable for irrigation companies, so that means Pleasant Grove, Lehi and American Fork irrigation companies will share that water and distribute that to their cities,” said Ernie John, president of the American Fork Irrigation Co.

While the public will benefit from a stronger dam and more capacity in the reservoir, it’s the improved recreational opportunities that people are really excited about.

“It’s just a nice place to be, nice and relaxing,” said Blaine Clark.

Tuesday was the first time Clark had been at the dam in more than a year, and he’s happy with the changes, which include more parking and a recreational trail around the reservoir.

“They did a really good job expanding the dam and making it deeper, which makes it a lot nicer for fishermen and those who are boating and coming up here to relax,” Clark said.

To celebrate the reopening of the reservoir, the Division of Wildlife Resources released 1,400 rainbow trout to add to the fishing opportunities in Tibble Fork.

“The project turned out really well,” said Mike Fowlks, deputy director of the Division of Wildlife Resources. The footprint is going to be bigger up here and a bigger fishery for our anglers here in the state of Utah, it’s a great thing.”

In addition, trail improvements along the south shore of the reservoir are planned for later in the fall.

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Sam Penrod

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