Restoration Projects

Recent Restoration Projects

Jordan River Channel Repair Project at Winchester Street – Salt Lake County, Murray City, Utah Division of Forestry Fire and State Lands

This project aimed to eliminate one of the most hazardous navigational barriers in the entire river corridor. The Salt Lake County Watershed team assessed, surveyed, designed and managed the construction of the project. It was completed late summer 2015. Using Natural Channel Design, the team set out to construct a stable channel capable of conveying watercraft at any flow, provide improved fish and bird habitat, improve the riparian community plant diversity and sustain major flood flows.

Jordan River Murray/Taylorsville Ecosystem Restoration Project – Salt Lake County, Murray City

This project aims to stabilize the banks of the Jordan River from 5200 S to 4800 S. Incorporated into the Natural Channel Design stabilization methods are the same features as the Winchester project; a stable channel capable of conveying watercraft at any flow, provide improved fish and bird habitat, improve the riparian community plant diversity and sustain major flood flows but with differing structures.

900 S Oxbow Restoration and Enhancement Project – Salt Lake City

The 900 S. Oxbow Restoration and Enhancement Project involves the restoration of a critical stretch of lowland riparian corridor of the Jordan River with the goal to improve water quality and habitat for wildlife, and to improve the public’s experience of one of the only remaining parts of the original watercourse of the Jordan River through Salt Lake City.

This project will establish multiple ecotones providing for a higher diversity of habitat types. The restoration will serve as a significant demonstration project while enhancing the public’s access and experience at the intersection of the Jordan River Parkway and the 9Line regional trail. Enhancements will include educational nodes and wildlife viewing along this restored riparian and upland habitat.

Jordan River Trailside Restoration Project – Salt Lake City

The Jordan River Trailside Restoration Project supports a publicly-reviewed restoration plan, and consists of three components: (1) stabilization of actively-eroding river banks, (2) river bank re-vegetation using plants native to the area, and (2) trailhead improvements and landscaping at trailhead and in river bank stabilization areas along the trail. The project area will be monitored and native vegetation maintained over the coming years to ensure successful restoration.

Big Bend Habitat Restoration Area – West Jordan

The Big Bend Habitat Restoration Project is located in the City of West Jordan, Utah, north of 90th South, adjacent to the Jordan River Trail. The goal of the project is to restore 70 acres of habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife by constructing a new meandering channel and wetlands that will reconnect the floodplain with the river. When completed, the project will provide one mile of restored river channel, wetland habitat, riparian habitat, and upland habitat, and urban fisheries.

Restoration of the Jordan River channel and floodplain will significantly reduce sediment and organic matter currently being eroded into the river. This will protect surface and drinking water quality, and provide a retention basin during high runoff and floods. The project will also increase recreation opportunities for the public. Amenities such as boardwalks and interpretive signage on the adjacent Jordan River Trail will allow people to see and learn about the wildlife, culture and history of the area. Once completed, the Big Bend Restoration Area will become one of the “gems” of the Jordan River Parkway trail system.

Galena Soonkhani – Utah Division of Forestry Fire and State Lands and Utah Open Lands

The Galena/Soónkahni Property comprises approximately 250 acres adjacent to the Jordan River between 12300 South and 14600 South in Draper City, Salt Lake County. It includes approximately 100 acres of riparian and wetland habitat on the east side of the Jordan River and approximately 150 acres of drier upland. Approximately 2 miles of the Jordan River run along and through the Galena/Soónkahni Property forming meandering bends with associated bars and oxbows.

Near the center of the property, 25 acres of land adjacent to the Jordan River has being used to create wetlands by the Utah Department of Transportation as part of a wetland mitigation banking understanding with the Utah Department of Natural Resources. Currently this mitigation area consists of a constructed meandering stream channel through which flows Corner Canyon Creek, and several acres of wetland with open, standing water. The Galena/Soónkahni Property includes an archaeological site of tremendous importance historically: dwellings and artifacts ranking among the oldest known in Utah and are valued very highly by many people, including Native American people whose ancestral lands included this area.