Jordan River revitalization projects underway thanks to $7M in federal, state and local government grants

Bailey Chism
The City Journals

Efforts to revitalize the Jordan River ecosystem are now in motion.

On Aug. 30, various organizations came together at the Big Bend Restoration Area to mark the start of a significant riparian and watershed restoration initiative. This large-scale project, backed by $7 million in funding from federal, state and local government and nongovernmental sources, aims to enhance the 51-mile waterway.

The initiative encompasses four major projects along the river’s course. West Jordan will spearhead the restoration of Big Bend’s native floodplain and riparian forest, while also adding trails, river access and open spaces. A half-mile section of the river will be reconstructed as part of this plan, building on efforts that began in 1998 to address damage caused by the nearby Sharon Steel Corp. mill.

The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, together with the Jordan River Commission, will lead another project focused on removing invasive species such as phragmites and tamarisk from over a dozen locations in Salt Lake and Utah counties. These areas will be replanted with approximately 20,000 native trees and shrubs over the next two years.

Additionally, the Rockies Chapter of the National Audubon Society will manage a project targeting invasive species control and shorebird habitat restoration near the Jordan River delta, a crucial area for shorebirds at the southeast end of the Great Salt Lake.

The Jordan River Commission will also launch a new outreach campaign to promote the health of the Jordan River watershed. This effort will include monitoring aquatic, riparian and upland habitats within the river’s ecosystem.

Together, these four projects are expected to play a crucial role in restoring the river’s watershed and improving the health of its riparian areas.

The majority of the funding comes from a $4.99 million federal grant provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which received support from Utah’s congressional delegation. This was the only Utah project among the 74 conservation initiatives awarded over $141 million nationwide by the foundation. The remaining funds were contributed by state and local governments, private donors and in-kind support from various groups, totaling over $7 million to meet the grant’s matching requirement, according to project officials.