Provo, Utah – After years of persistent drought, city officials in Provo have launched the final phase of a pilot project designed to replenish the city’s groundwater supply. This week, construction crews began digging at Riverview Park, located in north Provo, to implement a solution aimed at stabilizing the local water supply.
The Riverview Park construction site marks a critical step in a years-long initiative to enhance the city’s water reserves. City officials are hopeful that the project will lead to increased replenishment of the aquifer, which has been steadily declining due to the ongoing drought conditions.
“Before it became a park, this area was just undeveloped land—a piece of wilderness that we could enjoy as kids,” said Daron Shumway, a long-time Provo resident. Shumway, who has frequented the park for years, expressed concerns over the construction but emphasized his desire for the area to be preserved.
Local residents like Shumway are not alone in their attachment to Riverview Park. Rozlyn Reese, another Provo resident, shared similar sentiments. “I was a little concerned when I saw the construction,” Reese said, referencing her visit to the park with her son, Nico. “Hopefully, they’re not taking anything away.”
Despite these concerns, the purpose behind the construction is clear. Workers are installing plastic pipes and cement boxes beneath the park’s existing streambed. The goal is to capture water from the Provo River, allowing it to flow through the streambed and migrate down through rocks, gravel, and sand, ultimately recharging the city’s aquifer.
Ryan York, Provo’s water superintendent, explained the necessity of the project. “We’ve been experiencing a fairly long drought cycle here, and our aquifers have been declining,” York said. “This project is crucial to help Mother Nature recharge our aquifers and ensure a stable water supply for the future.”
With water levels in Provo’s aquifers in decline, the project is part of a larger effort to address the growing concern of water scarcity. As the final phase of this pilot project progresses, the city hopes it will serve as a model for future water conservation initiatives in the region. The collaboration between city officials, residents, and environmental experts underscores the importance of working together to ensure a sustainable water future for Provo.