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Howie Garber

WATERSHED
PROTECTION

Watershed protection is at the heart of Friends of Alta’s mission.
To this end, we acquire land for conservation, lead on-the-ground stewardship efforts, and support the Town of Alta in upholding protective zoning regulations.

What is
a Watershed?

A watershed is a land area where all rain and snowmelt drains toward a common water body, like streams, rivers, reservoirs, and, in our case, Little Cottonwood Creek. Albion Basin acts as the headwaters of Little Cottonwood Creek, naturally filtering and storing water through soil, roots, meadows, and rock before it supplies Salt Lake Valley with drinking water.

Little Cottonwood Watershed by Salt Lake County

Why Alta's Watershed Matters

In addition to its role as one of Salt Lake County's most vital water sources, the Little Cottonwood Canyon watershed supports rare ecosystems, wildlife habitat, and fragile alpine landscapes. Protecting this environment also means protecting air quality, soil health, and the long-term resilience of the Wasatch Front’s natural infrastructure.

PROTECTING WATER AT THE SOURCE.

Utah has limited water sources and depends on precious watershed areas to provide culinary drinking water to the population.

As Salt Lake City's second-largest surface water source for culinary purposes, it is imperative that we carefully manage and mitigate risks that threaten this delicate watershed. The cumulative impacts of potential development or changes in land use are unknown, and the stakes are high – the most affordable and preferred method to protect our watershed is at the source, using natural ecosystem processes to filter and store our water until we are ready to send it to the tap. Albion Basin is a critical recharge area for the Little Cottonwood Canyon watershed, which supplies culinary water to the following:

Local Culinary Water From Albion Basin’s Watershed

Where Does Our Water Come From?

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Alta’s water begins as snow that falls high in the Wasatch Mountains, much of it thanks to lake-effect storms from the Great Salt Lake.

Lake-effect occurs when cold air masses move across the relatively warmer waters of the Great Salt Lake. As cold air moves over the lake, it warms and absorbs moisture, then releases heavy snowfall in narrow bands that sweep into the Wasatch Range and Little Cottonwood Canyon, where the air cools and the snow falls rapidly. This weather phenomenon contributes to the canyon’s deep snowpack, which slowly melts and recharges the Little Cottonwood Creek watershed throughout the spring and summer.

This is also part of what gives Utah its reputation for having “The Greatest Snow on Earth.”

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Emma mine at Alta, Utah ca.1873 

Source: Denver Public Library via Western Mining History

A Legacy of Mining: The Consequences of Land Disturbance.

Before Alta became a destination for skiing and hiking, it was a booming mining town. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, silver was extracted throughout the canyon, with smelting operations and tailings deposits lining the creek. Although mining operations have long since ended, traces of heavy metals persist in the soil and streambeds, continuing to impact water quality more than a century later.​

Due to this legacy, any new disturbance to the land, such as off-trail use, erosion, or construction, can expose and mobilize these contaminants, allowing them to be washed into Little Cottonwood Creek during snowmelt or rainstorms. That’s why protecting the soil and vegetation in Alta’s watershed is so important. It’s not just about preserving beauty; it’s about preventing the release of pollutants that were buried long ago.

Watershed Protections and Rules

Because of its significance, the Little Cottonwood Canyon watershed is protected by a range of regulations at the local and regional levels. These rules are designed to minimize contamination risks and ensure water quality. Please be sure to pack out what you pack in and follow Leave No Trace principles.

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Do not litter

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Stay on designated trails

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No dogs allowed in the Canyon

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Use bathroom facilities

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Stay out of the water

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Observe all posted guidelines

SALT LAKE COUNTY GUIDELINES.

The following pamphlet, created by a former Bill Levitt Fellow, offers helpful guidance for recreating responsibly in a protected watershed area.

This Stream Care Guide is a valuable resource for residents of Salt Lake County and beyond, providing insight into how your actions can impact water quality. Published by the Salt Lake County Watershed Planning & Restoration Program, the guide also provides tips on stream care actions you and your neighbors can take to preserve the quality of our drinking water, prevent erosion, avoid flooding, and contribute to the survival of fish and wildlife.

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2015 Stream Care Guidelines

A handbook for residents of Salt Lake County.

OUR WATER VIDEO.

Friends of Alta created a video to demonstrate the importance of our watershed. We partnered with Salt Lake Public Utilities & Alta Ski Area to create the video.

In general, we all learn about the water cycle in a generic way, but every place is different. For Salt Lake City, our water sources are unique canyons next to the city that produce pristine water. This comes with its own unique set of challenges. 

Explore More from Local Organizations

My Little Cottonwood Canyon.

An interactive platform to explore Little Cottonwood Canyon, share your photos, and tell your story.
Created by Jordan River CommissionSeven Canyons TrustCenter for Documentary Expression and Art, and Salt Lake County.

Keep It Pure.

A StoryMap by Salt Lake City Public Utilities.

Howie Garber

WATERSHED
PROTECTION

The biggest driver behind Friends of Alta’s mission is watershed protection. To this end, we acquire land for conservation, conduct stewardship efforts and help the Town in defense of its protective zoning regulations.

PROTECTING WATER AT THE SOURCE.

Utah has limited water sources and depends on precious watershed areas to provide culinary drinking water to the population.

It is imperative that we carefully manage and mitigate risks that threaten this delicate watershed. The cumulative impacts of potential development or changes in land use are unknown and the stakes are high – the most affordable and preferred method to protect our watershed is at the source using natural ecosystem processes to filter and store our water until we are ready to send it to the tap. Albion Basin is a critical recharge area for the Little Cottonwood Canyon watershed which supplies culinary water to the following:

Local Culinary Water From Albion Basin’s Watershed

SALT LAKE COUNTY GUIDELINES.

This is a great resource for residents of Salt Lake County and all around on how your actions can affect water quality. The guide also provides tips on stream care actions you and your neighbors can take to preserve the quality of our drinking water, prevent erosion, avoid flooding, and contribute to the survival of fish and wildlife.

Capture.JPG

2015 Stream Care Guidelines

A handbook for residents of Salt Lake County.

OUR WATER VIDEO.

Friends of Alta created a video to demonstrate the importance of our watershed. We partnered with Salt Lake Public Utilities & Alta Ski Area to create the video.

We all learn about where our water comes from in a generic way, but every place is different. For Salt Lake City, our water sources are unique canyons next to the city that produce pristine water. This comes with its own unique set of challenges. 

2015_FOA_LOGO_horizontal (1).png

Address:

10201 East Hwy 210

Alta, UT 84092

Mailing Address:

PO BOX 8126

Alta, UT 84092

Email:

info@friendsofalta.org

Phone Number:

385-371-2741

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