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AMERICAN FORK CANYON — The Utah Bureau of Land Management reports it’s been a busy summer for American Fork Canyon with 1.3 million people visitors in 2017. That’s up 300,000 from 2016.
One reason could be because Tibble Fork Reservoir reopened in June 2017 after being closed for upgrades. But reopening the reservoir comes with some growing pains: trash being left behind by visitors.
"I've seen a half gallon of milk, a mayonnaise container that was pretty much full and even lighter fluid," said Shanna Ballad.
Ballard and her family have seen it first hand. She’s been visiting the reservoir for 40 years.
"It is absolutely beautiful up here," she said. "You have the views, you know, the edge of Timpanogos and you have the beautiful pine trees."
Ballard said she is glad when others enjoy the beauty and was thrilled to see the $7 million upgrades made to the reservoir earlier this year.
"They rebuilt the dam and put this beach in," she said. "On any given weekend this summer, its crowded with people."
Ballard’s interest in the reservoir led her to start the group Team Up for Tibble Fork to help clean up what visitors left behind. She hopes to help others realize the importance of picking up after themselves.
"My goal is especially to educate young people so that they care for the land and want to do something about it," she said "So when their parents want to leave garbage, they say 'no we can't do that.’”
