Home Waters
Local waters flow rates
Weber River
Where’s the Weber River Water
Middle Provo River
Middle Provo – An Introduction for Fisherman
Video Tour of the Middle Provo
Middle Provo River Temperature Study
Middle Provo River Creel Study
Macroinvertebrates of the Middle Provo River
Roger Gold, Ph.D., talks entomology
The Middle Provo River
Professor C. David Whiteman, Retired Atmospheric Scientist, University of Utah
David Whiteman, a scientist, avid fly fisherman, and longstanding member of the High Country Fly Fisher’s community, has dedicated years to both fishing and studying the intricate ecosystem of his “home waters,” the Middle Provo River. In cooperation with other federal, state, local and educational organizations, he has recently completed several conservation projects that have produced reports and videos focused on flyfishing themes on the Middle Provo River. These are linked below. Whether you’ve peacefully cast a fly on the serene currents of the Middle Provo, hold a deep passion for conservation efforts, or call Wasatch County your home, Whiteman’s exhaustive studies warrants a prominent place on your reading and viewing list.
The Middle Provo River – An introduction for the fisherman
This report provides an overview of Utah’s Middle Provo River, located in Heber Valley between the Jordanelle and Deer Creek Reservoirs. It explores the historical evolution of the Provo River, from its origins in the Uinta Mountains to its transformation due to the Central Utah Project (CUP). The report examines the river’s hydrology, fishery, water quality, and the role of resident macroinvertebrates as a primary food source for fish. Additionally, it highlights potential future challenges facing this renowned Blue-Ribbon fishery.
Video Tour of the Middle Provo River
This video is an informative tool for anglers, providing an overview of the river, its geographical features, and nearby amenities such as hiking trails, roads, tributary confluences, bridges, parking areas, and restroom facilities. Key infrastructure elements are prominently labeled throughout the video, including the locations of data loggers deployed in the river between March 2022 and March 2024 to monitor river temperatures. The video tour was produced using Google Earth Pro.
Middle Provo River Temperature Study
In 2021, the High Country Fly Fishers, with approval from federal and state agencies, launched a conservation initiative to monitor stream temperatures in the Middle Provo River from March 2022 to March 2024. Water temperature is a key environmental variable affecting the tailwater Blue-Ribbon fishery. The report explains why and how water temperatures vary with the seasons, throughout individual days, and with downstream distance. Analyses of the data yield important findings of interest to fishermen.
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources 2019 Middle Provo River Creel Study
The objective of this Utah DWR presentation is to address key questions and public comments raised during the 2018 Wildlife Board meeting, particularly concerns regarding the perceived “stunted” or “unhealthy” trout population in the Middle Provo River (MPR). We will share the findings from the 2019 MPR fish population surveys and the results of a creel survey conducted to gauge the angling public’s fishing experiences. This comprehensive approach aims to provide clarity on the current state of the trout population and the overall health of the MPR ecosystem.
“Utah DWR’s 2019 Middle Provo River Creel Study”
Macroinvertebrates of the Middle Provo River
In 2021, the High Country Fly Fishers, partnered with CAPS at Wasatch High School in Heber City, Utah, for a three-year conservation initiative. The project aims to monitor stream temperatures in the Middle Provo River, spanning from Jordanelle to Deer Creek reservoirs. Over this period, students will collect macroinvertebrate samples and data from in-stream temperature loggers.
Roger Gold, Ph.D., talks entomology of the Middle Provo with FlyFishFood’s Curtis and Cheech.
Weber River
Where Is the Weber River Water?
During one of our recent (April 29, 2025) site visits to evaluate potential
crossover installations on the Lower Weber River below Echo Reservoir,
Tom Smith and I noticed that the river flow was unusually low—almost
dry in places. Concerned that such conditions often trigger fish kills, I
contacted Clint Brunson, Utah DWR biologist for the Weber River, to learn
why this happens. His detailed reply is reproduced below.
— Bill Quapp
Response from Clint Brunson (Utah DWR – Weber River Biologist)
The releases out of Echo Reservoir surprise a lot of anglers every year. Below is the
why.Management & Water Rights
- Echo Reservoir is managed by Weber River Water Users, not the Weber Basin Water
Conservancy District.- Constructed in the 1930s—long before fish or aquatic health were considered—it holds
water for senior irrigation and municipal rights.- From Oct 15 – Apr 15 no water is released unless it must be delivered to
Willard Bay / Great Salt Lake.- Even after Apr 15 (the official start of irrigation season) releases don’t begin until
water users request them.- Utah DWR has no call water rights at Echo; if we did, they would be junior and
filled only after senior rights are honored.Fish Health in Low‑Flow Winters
Over the past decade I have intensively surveyed the Weber between Echo and Henefer. Despite
winter base‑flows of just 2–3 cfs from Echo Creek, this reach consistently holds some of the
healthiest populations of large trout and mountain whitefish in the watershed:
- Brown Trout > 25″ are routine in samples.
- Rainbow Trout > 22″ are common.
- Whitefish approach state‑record length.
These fish over‑winter in deep pools where the trickle flow sustains adequate oxygen.
Progress & Future Options
- We have asked the water‑user groups to ramp flows up and down gradually instead of
“all‑on/all‑off”; they have done so the last three seasons.- They are open to dedicated fish flows if rights can be purchased—unfortunately such
rights are scarce and expensive.- Rest assured: we monitor this stretch closely, and there have been no documented
major fish kills since the reservoir was built.Thank you and your team for the outstanding crossover structures—anglers (myself included)
are already benefitting from them.— Clint Brunson