I was driving up Provo Canyon on Sunday on my way up to Park City and I noticed that the Olmstead Diversion Dam is wide open on the Provo. The dam is about 1 mile above Bridal Veil Falls, and usually causes there to be a big marshy area just above the dam. Now, it's opened wide up and the area usually under water is drying out.
Anyone know why it's open like that? I'm just curious.
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I have a question about the Olmstead Diversion. I was in Provo Canyon below Olmstead and fished a little. But when I drove up the canyon I did not see that diversion dam that I remember. It has been a while since I've been that way. Did they replace the old one with a new one? If not then I am losing my mind.
m
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They haven't replaced anthing that I know of. Are you talking about the one just above Bridal Veil and Upper Falls, or the one closer to the mouth of the canyon that people swim in?
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I know it's not the one at the mouth, that's for sure. Maybe I missed seeing the diversion dam, at least what I'm used to seeing, because there wasn't any backed up water. What I remember from the past is that the diversion dam is right next to the road and there are a few hundred yards of backed up water that meander a little farther away from the road as you get upstream a little. What I saw somehwere in the canyon on Saturday was what looked like a huge trough made out of concrete. It was probably 10-15 ft deep and 50 ft long and seemed to just let the water pass through. I was surprised at not noticing Olmstead but seeing this cement thing instead. Anyway, I was probably looking for deer on the other mountain when I drove past.
m
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I seen the same thing, it was pretty low maybe they are drawing it down to prepare for the spring runnoff or somthing.. it look really weird, but now I know what ate all my lures..[
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Hey Matador what you were looking at is EXACTLY what I was asking about. That's Olmstead all right. It's right next to the road -- the OLD highway road anyway. The dam or gate or whatever you call it has been opened, allowing all that slack water that used to be there to drain out. The diversion dam is still there, it's just been opened wide open. My question is why? It's not like they need to prepare for heavy runoff. Jordanelle and Deer Creek are low enough that they'll be able to catch any runoff no problem, plus normal river flows have never been a problem for them there either. Maybe they are making repairs or inspecting it for problems cause it's their last chance to do so in awhile since the drought is probably over.
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Oooooh. So I'm not going blind? Just losing my mind my guess. Okay, now it makes sense. I just didn't recognize the place. You know, I feel better for another reason too. When I fished the Provo a little below Olmstead, I caught 2 browns on garden hackle. I was a little worried that I'd fished illegally when I didn't see Olmstead on the way up. I bet they are doing repairs. This would be a great time for that.
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Hey Matador what you were looking at is EXACTLY what I was asking about. That's Olmstead all right. It's right next to the road -- the OLD highway road anyway. The dam or gate or whatever you call it has been opened, allowing all that slack water that used to be there to drain out. The diversion dam is still there, it's just been opened wide open. My question is why? It's not like they need to prepare for heavy runoff. Jordanelle and Deer Creek are low enough that they'll be able to catch any runoff no problem, plus normal river flows have never been a problem for them there either. Maybe they are making repairs or inspecting it for problems cause it's their last chance to do so in awhile since the drought is probably over. [/reply]
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The "drought" is probably over ??? I don't think so.....
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They always do this in the spring . Not sure why , but they been doing it since I fished it back in the eighties . I bet they are just cleaning out the silt that builds up behind the gates . Just a guess .
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