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HERRIMAN — Come rain or shine, people from all over the Salt Lake Valley flock to the sandy beaches and shallow waters of Blackridge Reservoir.
"We thought that could be a great amenity to have an urban reservoir and a nice beach," said Gordan Haight, Herriman's assistant city manager. "We probably didn't realize how popular it would be — and it's extremely popular."
But the reservoir's popularity is not so popular with some nearby homeowners.
Following the July 4 near-drowning of an 8-year-old girl, homeowners near the reservoir are renewing a push for city officials to make the reservoir safer and offer more parking options.
Haight said that some measures are already in place, including Unified police officers working overtime to patrol the area.
He even attributed the quick emergency response to the near-drowning to Unified police, saying that he has no doubt that the act of the City Council to pay for more officers a few weeks before that saved the girl's life.
Signs at Blackridge Reservoir remind swimmers that no lifeguard is on duty, similar to other reservoirs. This reservoir, however, is small, in the middle of a suburb and has less parking.
Every time we make it a little bit nicer and better, we seem to increase the number of people there. That isn't necessarily what we think needs to happen, so we have to think about ways to mitigate some of the effects in the neighborhood.
–Gordan Haight, Herriman's assistant city manager
Nonetheless, there is one thing Blackridge shares with other reservoirs — water quality.
"This water is coming out of Utah Lake and out of Deer Creek, so basically it's unchlorinated, unclean water," Haight said. "You can certainly swim in those reservoirs, but there's always a risk, so we don't make any claim about the quality of the water."
Haight said the reservoir is routinely tested, and, so far, the water remains safe to swim in. He added that water also circulates in and out of the reservoir, which helps keep it clean. But if any health issues arise, the reservoir will close to swimming until it is safe.
For John Schwisow, who lives about a block and a half away from the reservoir, the answer to safety and overcrowding issues is limiting the number of people allowed to visit the reservoir at any one time.
With no capacity limit and limited parking, Schwisow said many who visit end up parking on narrow streets in the nearby neighborhood.
Haight said city officials are talking about budgeting money for expanding parking near the reservoir, but they do not want to act until after August to keep construction traffic down.
"There's a catch-22," Haight said. "Every time we make it a little bit nicer and better, we seem to increase the number of people there. That isn't necessarily what we think needs to happen, so we have to think about ways to mitigate some of the effects in the neighborhood."
The reservoir is locked after 9 p.m., which prevents potentially dangerous late night swims. But Herriman resident Laura Roberts videotaped the driver of a blue minivan who, upon discovering he was locked inside the reservoir, drove over the lawn of a nearby home to get out.
That video, taken by a nearby neighbor, also shows a child get out the minivan while it was on the lawn, to move a sign prohibiting parking on the street, she said. 
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
There are pavilions that make it easier for visitors to have a meal on the beach, but Schwisow said he has heard homeowners closest to the reservoir tell others that people have knocked on their doors to ask to borrow condiments they forgot to bring. "It's just a few people being inconsiderate that's making a bad name for a lot of people," Roberts said.
West Jordan resident Marie Buehner said she visits the reservoir with family and friends a few times a year and has learned that going early increases the chances of getting a spot in the parking lot and the beach.
"Anywhere is crowded once the week ends," Buehner said. "We avoid Saturdays for that reason."
Lehi resident Julie Bettinson drove to Blackridge Reservoir for the first time Wednesday. She said she heard about it through friends and was intrigued by the location and the fact that there is no entrance fee.
If there were more free urban reservoirs with sandy beaches, she said, Blackridge would be less crowded.
"I think the biggest reason why people come is it's free," Bettinson said. "It's good entertainment for the kids. It's well-kept, it's nice here. And (we're) not having to pay a ton of money." Email: klarsen@deseretnews.com
