Following years of effort, the Provo River Delta Restoration Project has been completed and is now open to the public. This initiative was made possible by a $10 million investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda.

The project spans nearly 260 acres and is located half a mile north of Utah Lake State Park. It aims to aid in the recovery of the June sucker, a fish species found only in this region. On January 4, 2021, the June sucker was reclassified from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act due to efforts like this restoration project. The restored delta provides habitat for adult June suckers to spawn and young ones to find refuge from predators.

"With transformational resources provided through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the Interior Department is collaborating with states, Tribes and partners across the West to accelerate the completion of projects like the Provo River Delta Restoration Project," said Annalise Blum, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at the Department of the Interior. "Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the restored delta area officially opening today will help to safeguard the threatened June sucker, expand recreational opportunities for community residents and accelerate efforts to expand access to clean and reliable water throughout the region."

Blum attended a ceremonial ribbon-cutting event with partnering agencies who celebrated this significant achievement by releasing hatchery-raised June suckers into their new habitat.

"The Provo River Delta Restoration Project provided the unique opportunity for us to partner with several entities on a project to not only benefit recovery of a threatened species but also provide diverse recreational opportunities for surrounding communities well into the future," stated Michael Mills, Executive Director of Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission. "The new delta provides habitat previously missing from the interface of the river and Utah Lake, which will benefit all those that use the area and will contribute to survival of millions of June sucker spawned in Provo River each year."

Beyond aiding June sucker recovery, this project enhances ecosystems and offers more recreational options such as trails, parking areas at trailheads, restrooms, nonmotorized boat launches, fishing platforms, interpretive features, an observation tower for wildlife viewing and a park currently under construction.

"We are hopeful that with this area opening to fishing that anglers can help reduce number of predators impacting June suckers," said Sarah Seegert from Utah Division Wildlife Resources Recovery Program. "In addition wetland vegetation in delta providing young June suckers place hide from predators we excited about new fishing opportunities this area provide."

"The June sucker program partners have played vital role success June Sucker Recovery Implementation Program," commented Gene Shawcroft General Manager Central Water Conservancy District. "Through our partners...water has been obtained through direct purchase water conservation environmental commitments associated new development projects...ensure necessary conditions support spawning recruitment benefiting many species rely on Provo River tributary supports."

Historically declining due alterations droughts competition predation exotic fish species population once dropped fewer than thousand fewer than three hundred spawning individuals leading placement endangered list 1986 however since then collaboration local federal agencies groups led creation successful recovery program resulting estimated thirty forty-five thousand spawning population today including three thousand seven hundred eighty-five tagged detected spawning newly restored area.

Efforts include increasing streamflows establishing hatchery culture program special facility quick growth warmer water allowing restocking Utah Lake supporting growing populations.

For further details about project visit official website watch video DWR YouTube Channel.