For all of you lovers, and haters, of Utah Lake out there I thought I’d introduce you briefly to a more in-depth look into the facts of Utah Lake. I, for one, think that the benefits of Utah Lake by far out-weight the negatives. Enjoy…

Utah Lake, at 96,900 acres (392 km²), is the largest natural freshwater lake in the state of Utah^[1] and a remnant of the prehistoric Lake Bonneville,^[2] which covered much of the state. It drains via the Jordan River at its north end into Lake Bonneville’s largest remnant, Great Salt Lake.

Endemic to the lake are the endangered June sucker and the Utah Lake sculpin, now extinct. Although 13 species of fish are native to the lake, only the June sucker and Utah sucker remain, together constituting less than one percent of the biomass.^[3] By far the dominant species in the lake is the common carp, introduced in 1881 as an alternative to the overharvested native fish.^[4][5] Common carp are now estimated at 90.9% of the biomass,^[3] contributing to a decline in native fish populations by severely altering the ecosystem.^[6]

Geography

Satellite photo of Utah Lake

Utah Lake dominates Utah Valley in north-central Utah, with major cities such as Provo and Orem hemmed between the lake’s eastern shore and the Wasatch Mountains. West of the lake are the Lake Mountains and jutting into the south portion of the lake is West Mountain, which divides Goshen Bay and Lincoln Beach. Connected to the main body of the lake are two large, shallow bays: the aforementioned Goshen Bay to the south and Provo Bay to the east, where Hobble Creek enters the lake.

Despite its large surface area, the lake is shallow; it has a maximum depth of 14 feet (4.27 m) and an average depth of about 9.4 feet (2.74 m). This shallowness allows winds to easily stir up sediments from the lake’s bottom, contributing to the turbidity seen in Utah Lake’s water.^[2]

Looking east across Utah Lake at Mount Timpanogos.

There are several hot springs around the lake that are popular with local residents, such as those located near Lincoln Beach^[7] and Saratoga Springs.^[8]

Hydrology

Major tributaries include the Provo River, Spanish Fork, and American Fork rivers, as well as Hobble, Mill Race, and Currant creeks. Additionally, there are many hot springs and smaller creeks flowing into the lake. Utah Lake is drained by the Jordan River, which begins at the lake’s north end, where a pumping station has been created to regulate its flow. It then flows north through Utah and Salt Lake counties into the southeast portion of Great Salt Lake.

Ecosystem

Utah Lake’s wetlands are an important stopover and nesting area for migratory birds. More than 220 species of birds use these wetland areas. Utah Lake Wetland Preserve is located at the south end of the lake, in and around Goshen Bay.^[10]

The rapidly growing population of Utah Valley threatens the future of Utah Lake. Various proposals to dike the lake’s bays occasionally surface. Recent development along the lake’s western shore has fueled a proposal to construct a causeway across the lake. To date, economic costs, environmental concerns, litigation, and public opposition have stymied these proposals.^[11]

Historically, Bonneville cutthroat trout were the predator fish in the ecosystem,^[3] and were present in large numbers; in 1864, a commercial fisherman hauled in a single net holding between 3,500 and 3,700 pounds (1,588-1,678 kg) of trout. By 1874, laws were in place to protect Bonneville cutthroats, but commercial netting was not banned until 1897. The trout population in Utah Lake was extinct by the 1920s.^[12] Today, the primary predators in the lake are the non-native walleye and white bass.^[13]

As of 2006, fishing regulations for Utah Lake released by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources protect certain large-bodied nonnative predator species in the lake, such as bass and walleye;^[3] anglers are required to release largemouth and smallmouth bass over 12 inches (300 mm) in length, and can take only one walleye over 20 inches (510 mm).^[14] In an effort to control the population of white bass and walleye, the DWR places no limit on the number of white bass that can be taken, a limit of six fish on walleye (one over 20 inches), and requests anglers to harvest them from the lake.^[15]

Recreational uses

Due to its close proximity to the Provo-Orem metropolitan area, Utah Lake is a fairly popular destination for many water sports, including boating, sailing, water skiing, and fishing. The main marina for Utah Lake is located in Utah Lake State Park on the eastern shore, near the location where the Provo River empties into the lake. Other marinas are located at Saratoga Springs, American Fork, Lindon, and Lincoln Beach.

The lake was more popular historically, before declining water quality made it less attractive for recreational use. Amusement resorts operated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries at Saratoga Hot Springs in the northwest corner of the lake, and at Geneva in the northeast. Geneva (named after the owner’s daughter, not the lakeside city in Switzerland) was built where the Lindon Marina is now, at the point the railroad came closest to the lake. It included a hotel, swimming pools, a dance floor, and water slides. It lent its name to nearby Geneva Steel.^{[citations needed]}

Visit www.4SeasonsPowerToys.com to learn how you can get access to all the recreational vehicles you want!

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For all of you out there who are enjoying life with your family in your RV; here are a few games you might want to try.

Alphabet Game

How to Play: The objective is to find words outside the vehicle, and NOT on any other vehicle, that begin with the letters of the alphabet, starting with the letter A. Once a player calls out an object they see with the letter “A,” they move on to the letter “B.” The other players continue to look for items that begin with the letter A. You cannot use the same word that another player used for a particular letter. For the letter “X” an “ex” word can be used, such as “exit” or “exhaust.” However, if “exit” was used for the “e” word, it cannot be used for the “X” word. The first player to reach the letter “Z” wins the game.

Game Notes: Mom and/or Dad may need to act as referee if more than one player sees and says the word at the same time. The one who calls out the word first gets the word.

Animal Game

How to Play: Each player thinks of an animal. Other players then take turns asking simple questions that can be answered with a “yes” or a “no.” (For example: Is it a reptile? Does it have four legs? Can it be a pet?) Guessing continues until either the animal is identified or everyone gives up. It is then the next person’s turn to think of an animal. There is no scoring and no winner need be identified. This game helps kids use logic to solve problems.

Are We There Yet?

What You’ll Need: A map of the territory you will be covering on your trip. Take it to somewhere like Kinko’s or Mailboxes Etc. and photocopy it in black and white. A folder to hold the map and keep it neat and light colored crayons; colored pencils; or markers.

How to Play: Mark the starting point and the ending point for the day on the map. During the trip, the kids can color the map with light colors only so that they can still see the words through the colors. They can only ask you, “Where are we now?” That way they can look at their own map and keep track of where you are on the trip. Only YOU can ask THEM the question, “Are we there yet?” This way, not only will the kids have fun and keep busy for a while, they can also learn to read a map and they can learn about mileage and keep a lookout for the road signs necessary to find on a trip.

Bury Your Horses

How to Play: Everyone in the vehicle watches for horses and cemeteries. The first person to see a horse claims that horse and gets to add it to their count. The first person to see a cemetery shouts out “Bury Your Horses!” and everyone else but the shouter’s horse count goes back to zero. Repeat. The first one who counts 50 horses wins!

Car Color

How to Play: Everyone in the vehicle names the color of the next car they will see in oncoming traffic. No 2 players can select the same color at the same time. Who ever gets the most right wins.

Game Notes: Instead of color you can use vehicle type: Jeep, pickup, minivan, 18 wheeler, etc.

Comic Strip Game

How to Play: Prior to your trip, Mom or Dad can cut up a cartoon strip into individual squares. Then, mix up the squares and place them in an envelope or paper clip them together. On the road, kids will have fun trying to put the squares back in their original order by taping or gluing the strips onto a sheet of paper.

Game Notes: For a challenge, cut up two or more comic strips for the kids to put back together.

Commercial Game

How to Play: Players take turns thinking of a commercial slogan or jingle, such as “Double your pleasure, double your fun” for Doublemint Gum. The other players take turns guessing what the product is. Players can assign points for each winning guess. The first player to earn a certain number of points, such as 10, wins.

Cow Game

How to Play: Each person (or team, if there are four or more players) is assigned the right or left windows of the vehicle. Each person (or team) counts the number of cows they see out “their” side. Cows are counted until the trip is completed. The catch? If a cemetery is spotted on “their” side of the road, “their” cows must be “buried,” and they begin counting cows again, starting from zero. The side with the most cows at the end of the trip wins. If you are traveling in an area without cows, the game could be played with other objects, such as mailboxes.

Cribbage

What You’ll Need: Good eyes, license plates with 5 (only 5) numbers, and someone to keep score on a piece of paper.

How to Play: Arrange the five numbers to get the best cribbage hand. Take turns until the first player reaches 121 points. This helped us to teach our kids to count

Dictionary Memory

How to Play: One person picks a letter out of the alphabet. Starting with the next person in line, that person says a word that comes to mind beginning with the “letter” that was chosen. The game continues on to each person, a time limit is set for trying to remember a word. Eventually each person is eliminated.

Goin’ On A Trip

How to Play: Take turns going around the group. First player says, “I’m going on a trip and I’m going to take a(n) (object beginning with letter a).” The second player repeats the phrase including the first item and adds an item beginning with the letter “b”. Play continues through group until last turn which names 26 items a through z.

Grandma’s Cat

How to Play: First player says “Grandma’s cat is ____” finishing the sentence with a one word description starting with letter “A”(like: adorable). Second player must use letter “B”(black). and so on. Great vocabulary builder, and older kids like it too.

Grocery Store Game

How to Play: First person starts with Letter “A” by saying,I went to the grocery store today and bought some Apples. Second person has to repeat from letter “A” I went to the grocery store today and bought some Apples and Bread. Continue on with as many people as you want going all the way through the alphabet. The first person to make a mistake is out and keep going with the remaining players until you have a winner.

Game Notes: The best is when you buy items other that groceries

License Plate Challenge

How to Play: Player(s) look out the windows while on highway and search for different license plates. (Plates of other states/provinces). Begin by saying what state or province that plate is from, (In the beginning, it can be any plate), the player(s) then have to find a license plate beginning with the last letter of the first plate. (e.g. If a player finds a VermonT plate, they must find a license plate beginning with the letter “T” e.g. Tennessee, Texas, etc. Game stops when player(s) can’t find a state/province with that plate, or when player(s) give up.

Game Notes: For states or provinces with two or more words (e.g. New York) search for a plate beginning with K (e.g. Kansas) Game can also be played the same way with anything else (e.g. Car makes/models, animals, guessing cities, etc)

List Game

What You’ll Need: A list of items made up for each person or team. Can be made ahead of time.

How to Play: Each person or team gets a list of 10 to 15 things that you may see while driving. Each list is different.eg. police car, wishing well, airplane, weeping willow tree, white cat, church steeple, riding lawn mower, no exit sign, golf course, & pizza shop. The first one who gets all their list wins.

Game Notes: You can vary the difficulty of the lists depending on the ages playing. We find all ages enjoy this game. It can stretch over several days sometimes, depending on the length and difficulty of the lists.

Memory Game

How to Play: This game can be played by any number of players, but the level of difficulty increases with the number of players. Players choose a category, such as “sports.” The first player names a sport, such as “baseball.” The next player then repeats that sport and adds another sport, such as “football.” The game continues until a player fails to name one of the items in the correct order. New categories can be chosen and the game can begin again.

Name Game

How to Play: Players first decide on a category of names, such as TV or movie stars, musicians, athletes, etc. One player begins by naming someone in that category, such as “Michael Jordan.” The next player then names someone beginning with the same letter as the last name of “Jordan,” such as “Joe Montana.” Players take turns until someone gives up. The game can begin again with a different category.

Game Notes: If you are playing with more than two players, you can add this challenge. If player one says “Daffy Duck” and player two says “Donald Duck,” it is player one’s turn again rather than player three’s turn. This is because player two named someone whose first and last names had the same initials as player one.

Pack Your Bags

What You’ll Need: 2-10 players

How to Play: As you go around the circle, have each player name an item that starts with that persons name. Or to make the game more challenging have the item rhyme with the player’s name. (example: If the player’s name is Paul he could bring the pots and pans.)

Padital

How to Play: Have at least 2 players watching traffic in either direction, when you see a car with only one headlight say “Padital” and tap the roof of whatever you are riding in. A car or truck with a “Padital” is worth 1 point, a bus is worth 5 points, an 18 wheeler is worth 10, and a police car automatically wins the game. The game is usually played to 25, but can go on for how ever long you want. Remember to have fun while playing.

Game Notes: Best if played at night

Picture Game

How to Play: One player draws a picture or shape on a piece of paper, but does not show it to the other players. He or she then describes the picture, one element at a time. For example, “one vertical line on the left side of the page”. Then, “a half circle across the top of the page,” etc. The player who comes closest to drawing the picture correctly gets a chance to draw a picture or shape, and the game starts over again.

Popcorn Counting

What You’ll Need: 3 person minimum, 4+ is better

How to Play: One person starts the game by counting the number “one” out loud. Someone else has to follow that with “two”, and so on. The idea is for anyone to jump in and count the next number (there is no such thing as turns). The catch is that if two (or more!) people speak at the same time, everything starts back over at “one”. See how high you can count, or try to beat your own record!

Game Notes: Setting up patterns or signals about who is going to say the next number is off limits. The more people playing, the more challenging (and fun) it is! Wonderfully simple, challenging, and addictive.

Rainy Day Easter Egg Hunt

What You’ll Need: Colored Paper, Scissors, Tape

How to Play: Just because it rains or is too cold to go outside on your Easter camping trip, doesn’t mean you can’t have the fun of an Easter Egg Hunt! Space is often limited in rvs, so this is an easy and fun way to have a hunt despite the weather. Cut out egg shapes with the colored paper. Now these can be hidden nearly anywhere! Tape them to the back of cupboard doors, poking out between folded clothing, even on the ceiling! (careful using tape on certain surfaces, some reusable sticking putty may work better).

Game Notes: 1. Each egg could be “worth” a certain prize, which is written on the egg, such as “chocolate bar” or “peanut butter egg.” 2. Different shapes can be used for different seasons, such as gingerbread men at Christmas or Stars on Independence Day. 3. Eggs can also be colorfully decorated with markers, glitter etc. Be sure to let them dry before using them.

Reading License Plate Game

How to Play: Observe license plates on other vehicles and “read” what they “say.” For example, the plate “007-BVD” could be read as “James Bond’s underwear.” (And, yes, we have seen this one!)

Game Notes: Vowels may be added to make up words. For example, the plate “001-LVR” could be read as “Number one lover”.

Sweet Or Sour

How to Play: Every one in the car/RV waves at another person in another car. They must smile and wave at the person for a minute. If that person smiles back, they are “sweet”. If they don’t they are “sour”. Who ever has the most “sweet” or “sour” people wins!

Game Notes: Every time you get a “sweet” person, you can eat something sweet, like a jolly rancher, and every time you get a “sour” person, you eat something sour, like a piece of lemon!

Travel Bingo

What You’ll Need: A Pencil and a sheet of paper for each player, with the name of states randomly marked in rows five across and five down, like a bingo card, each card marked differently. Can be prepared ahead of time by a family member.

How to Play: Each player having his or her own bingo card to work from, searches for vehicles with the states on their card. First person to get a row calls bingo. More games can continue by erasing the boxes covered, and 4 corners can be played, the letter L or T, or coverall, as in regular bingo games.

Game Notes: Road symbols can be used instead of license plates. (stop signs, rr crossings, school, pedestrian crossing etc…)

Treasure Map Game

How to Play: Prior to your trip, Mom or Dad prepares a treasure hunt on an old or unused map. Begin with one place as “Start.” Determine where “Finish” will be and write it down separately. Describe points along the way, such as “go north at park,” “turn right at bridge,” then “take Chester Street,” etc. When the kids think they know the “Finish” destination, have them circle it on the map. Then, see if they are correct.

Game Notes: If there is more than one player, the kids can make up treasure maps for each other.

Word Game

How to Play: The first person says a word that starts with the letter “A” like “apple”. The next player will then have to say a word that starts with the last letter of that word which in this case would be “e”, so they could say “elevator”. This keeps going until someone gives up. Great vocabulary builder and use of phonics for the younger ones!!

Feel Free to Submit Your own Games!!

Visit www.4SeasonsPowerToys.com to learn how you can get access to all the recreational vehicles you want!

o

Deer Creek State Park

Deer Creek State Park lies in the southwest corner of beautiful Heber Valley and consistently provides some of Utah’s finest year-round fishing. Beautiful Deer Creek reservoir is extremely popular for boating, wind surfing, sunbathing, swimming, and sailboating.

Park Hours:
Summer / 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Winter / 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Holiday Closures: None

Day Visits: Covers use of watercraft launches and day-use facilities.
$10 Day-Use Pass
$75 annual pass available at the Deer Creek State Park Office

Camping:
Choke Cherry Campground – Full Hookups: $25
Great Horned Owl Campground – Without Hookups: $16

Dogs:
Dogs are allowed only in the campgrounds but they must be kept on a maximum 6 ft leash at all times, never left unattended and you must clean up after them.

Location:
Deer Creek is located ten miles south of Heber on Highway 189.

Jordanelle State Park

Jordanelle State Park is located in a picturesque mountain setting near Heber City. The park offers an array of recreation opportunities near the Wasatch Front. Camping, boating, swimming, fishing, and hiking are some of the activities to do at this very popular park. The park offers two recreation areas, Hailstone and Rock Cliff.

Hailstone is a large developed campground and day-use area on the west side of the reservoir, and is a favorite location of boaters and RV campers. Many of our campsites offer water and electric hook-ups. The concession service, Jordanelle Marina, offers boat rentals and other recreation items to complete your trip. Visit www.jordanellemarina.com or call (435) 655-9919.

Rock Cliff Recreation Area is located on the southeast corner of the reservoir and offers visitors a quieter experience. Nestled in the tall cottonwoods on the Upper Provo River, Rock Cliff offers camping, a nature center and a boardwalk. These campgrounds are walk-in and dogs are not allowed.

Park Hours: Summer 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Winter 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Holiday Closures: Hailstone - none, Rock Cliff - Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day

Day Visits: A $10 day-use permit (Hailstone) and $7 day-use permit (Rock Cliff) or ($75 annual) is assessed. The permit covers use of watercraft launches. Annual passes are available at the Jordanelle State Park Visitor Centers.

Overnight Camping (Hailstone):
Hailstone: $20
McHenry Loops: $16
Keetley boat/ walk-in : $16
Boat Slips: $16

Overnight Camping (Rock Cliff):
Rockview, Upland Meadows, Aspen Grove and Riverbend : $16

Location:
Hailstone (main boat ramp) - Take I-80 east to US 40 south, then take the Mayflower exit (#8);
Rock Cliff (nature center) - Take I-80 east to US 40 south, at the traffic light turn left to U 32 east, travel about 7.5 miles then left on Rock Cliff Road.

Utah Lake State Park

Utah’s largest freshwater lake provides fishing access for channel catfish, walleye, white bass, black bass, and several species of panfish. Spend an evening RV or tent camping, then powerboat, canoe, or sail the day away on Utah Lake.

Hours: Summer 6: a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Winter 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Holiday Closures: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day

Day Visits: A $9 day-use permit also covers use of boat ramps. $75 annual passes and $35 Utah Senior Adventure Passes are available at the Utah Lake State Park Visitor Center.

Overnight Camping: Lakeshore Campground: $20 per night.

Location: Three miles west of I-15, from exit 268 (Center Street) in Provo.

Yuba State Park

The sprawling waters of Yuba State Park provide a variety of recreation opportunities for visitors. Warm water and sandy beaches, along with nearby off-highway vehicle riding areas, lure visitors during summer months. One of the few state parks with boat-in camping, Yuba is very popular with water recreationists.

Park Hours: Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. year-round with no holiday closures.

Day Visits: $7 day-use permit covers watercraft launches. Annual passes available at the Yuba State Park Office.

Overnight Camping:
Oasis Campground: $16
Extra Vehicles, at Oasis Only - $8
East Beach - Eagle View Boat-In Campground: $10 / $15 with boat dock
North and West Beaches: $10
Painted Rock Campground: $10
Group Area Oasis Campground: $100 (maximum 75 people)
Group Area Painted Rocks: $100 (maximum 150 people)

Location: Developed area is located 25 miles south of Nephi, take Exit 202 off I-15 for approximately five miles to the park entrance; Painted Rocks is 15 miles south of Levan off Utah Highway 28.

Starvation State Park

The sprawling waters of Starvation Reservoir offer great fishing and boating. Find a secluded campsite at one of four primitive campgrounds and one developed campground. Bring your off-highway vehicle and ride on nearby trails.

Hours: Summer 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Holiday Closures: None

Day Visits: A $7 day-use permit covers watercraft launches. $75 annual passes are available at the Starvation State Park Visitor Center.

Overnight Camping:
Mountain View: $16
Lower Beach: $16
Juniper Point: $10
Rabbit Gulch: $10
Indian Bay: $10
Knight Hollow: $10

Location: Four miles northwest of Duchesne.

Visit www.4SeasonsPowerToys.com to learn how you can get access to all the recreational vehicles you want!

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Here are a list of Tips for all of you out there who are getting into Wakeboarding.

We all love being on the lake and having a good time. There’s no better way to make family memories that will last a lifetime. Here are a few suggestions and tips to help you assure that all of your boating activities are fun and safe.

1) Check the weather report and make sure you are familiar with the lake. Always watch the weather and keep up to date with the changing winds, tides and swell.

2) Plan activities for everyone on board. Some people enjoy simply riding, all kids seem to love on a tube, and others enjoys a little more challenging activity like wake boarding or skiing.

3) Plan to stop and have a lunch on a beach.

3) Stay cool. Over heating on a boat can be common. If you get hot take periodic dips in the lake.

4) Always tell someone where your going and when you are expecting to return.

5) Always carry the appropriate safety equipment on board and make sure you know how to use it.

6) Always carry extra drinking water and fuel.

7) Remember to update your travel details with the authorities if you plan on staying out longer.

Have fun, boat safe and feel free to share any other boating tips.

Visit www.4SeasonsPowerToys.com to learn how you can get access to all the recreational vehicles you want!

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If you are looking for some hidden gems for your recreational needs this time of year make sure you don’t miss out on Yuba lake. About 60 miles south of Orem, Yuba is a great place to boat and camp on a nice sandy beach. The water temperature is great. Just this last week we delivered a boat to a renter who used it for the day and couldn’t get over how much fun they had.

If you’re looking for a nice ATV ride, don’t miss out on the trail that leads from Tibble Fork, up American Fork Canyon, over the mountain into Midway. It’s a beautiful ride with lots of fun trails you can take. You can get pretty close to Mt. Timapanogos.

It’s amazing the fun things you can do within a 45 minute drive of Utah County.

Check out the current weather status of these local venues:

Lake Powell: http://www.wunderground.com/US/UT/Lake_Powell.html?bannertypeclick=gizmotimetemp

Bear Lake: http://www.wunderground.com/US/UT/Garden_City.html?bannertypeclick=gizmotimetemp

Utah Lake: http://www.wunderground.com/US/UT/Provo.html?bannertypeclick=gizmotimetemp

Deer Creek: http://www.wunderground.com/US/UT/Heber.html?bannertypeclick=gizmotimetemp

Jordanelle Reservoir: http://www.wunderground.com/US/UT/Heber.html?bannertypeclick=gizmotimetemp

Visit www.4SeasonsPowerToys.com to learn how you can get access to all the recreational vehicles you want!

o