Provo River Aqueduct Update

The Provo River Aqueduct (PRA) has now been in service for seven irrigation seasons.  It is functioning very well and meeting expectations.  The 2018 season was one of many low-water years.  During these drought years, the pipeline served to deliver water without any leakage or evaporation losses that would ordinarily occur in an earthen canal.  In a low-flow season, canals are operated in a “checked up” state where the water is held back to flow more deeply and more slowly.  This condition is required for delivery out of turnouts.  This condition also contributes greatly to leakage and evaporation losses.  In some years the PRA has remained in service for up to three weeks after the end of the irrigation season to allow for maintenance to occur on the Salt Lake Aqueduct and the Jordan Aqueduct Reach 4.

The completion of the PRA allowed for the construction of the Murdock Canal Trail along the PRA corridor.  The trail, opened in May of 2013, has averaged over one million users per year. Bicyclists, walkers, joggers and various groups enjoy the trail year-round.  Events such as marathons and half-marathons utilize the trail as a part of their event route.  The Murdock Canal Trail connects to many other trail systems in the area.