Recapture Reservoir is increasingly becoming more popular for recreationalists every year. The boat launch is a non-fee site with public access to the entire reservoir. Recapture is the largest reservoir in San Juan County where large watercraft can be launched. This makes it a very popular location for anglers and boaters. The dam was constructed in Recapture Canyon which flooded the canyon and the old state highway. A new highway was constructed across Recapture dam, but the old highway was never removed. Boaters use the old narrow highway on the Blanding side of the reservoir as a boat launch (see photos). The asphalt is breaking apart and developing large pot-holes in the boat ramp. The shoreline and old highway was never remodeled to adequately handle large number of watercrafts. There is room for only one vehicle to launch at a time. Once a boat is launched there are only a few spots where a boat can be shored safely between boulders and large rock outcroppings. There is not an adequate shore or dock for boaters to use while parking their vehicles. Visitors also utilize the boat launch as a swimming and sunbathing area increasing the difficulty for launching watercraft. For the past several years anglers have voiced their concern to Blanding City and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources about the difficulty of launching watercraft, the increased danger of launching between groups of swimmers and the lack of a boat dock to safely secure their boat. Blanding City and DWR will begin formalizing a Recapture Reservoir Recreation Improvements Plan in 2021. The first phase identified by all partners is to hire an engineering firm to develop plans for future projects and proposals and to install a boat dock.

At the completion of this project you will see a new boat dock for anglers. The goal is to provide a safe and developed launching area for large watercraft. The project timeline: funding for boat dock received in early summer; Blanding City hires engineering firm to plan and develop master plan for Recapture Reservoir; DWR hire contractor to construct boat dock; contractor installs boat dock late summer early fall; Recapture Reservoir Recreation Improvement Plan finalized by fall, early winter; Phase II planning during winter.

This project would help reduce the risk of damage to boats when launching/beaching. It will also help reduce the interactions between boaters and swimmers. Boaters beach their boats along the boat ramp along rock outcroppings after launching. Damage to boats have been documented. There is no developed beach area for swimmers, which lead to everyone swimming on the boat ramp. Boaters have to launch in between families who are utilizing the ramp for sunbathing.

This project was determined by Blanding City and the Utah Division of Wildlife has the highest priority and will be the first objective in the Recapture Reservoir Recreation Improvement Plan.

Future project phases may include reducing dead timber and vegetation around the reservoir to develop a trail system and campsites.

Currently boaters beach their boats along the shoreline to access the boat ramp for launching. The continued use along the shoreline stirs sediment and boat hazards like boulders cannot be seen. Installing a new dock we expect to reduce impact to the reservoir floor and reduce stirring sedimentation in the reservoir.

This phase of the project requires no NEPA to be completed. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Blanding City will work with the Bureau of Land Management to begin NEPA work for future phases.

Development and engineering for a master plan will be begin spring 2021 by Blanding City as in-kind contribution to this project. The construction and installation of the boat dock will be completed by a contractor, hired by DWR. We are seeking funding to construct and install the boat dock.

Blanding City and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will oversee and monitor all phases of the construction and installation to make sure the end product will be usable and a benefit to the angling and public. Blanding City will also take the lead on operation of the new dock, moving it with fluctuating water levels. The Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) monitors the fish population every 3 years. Recapture Reservoir will serve as a new brood source of northern pike for tiger muskellunge propagation.

Partners for this project include Blanding City, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and Bureau of Land Management. All parties involved met regarding the issue of the current site and the impacts to the resources. Blanding City will use in-kind funding to hire an engineering firm to draft designs for future project phases. The Bureau of Land Management will work with Blanding City on permitting, and operation of new infrastructure at Recapture Reservoir. The Division of Wildlife will seek funds for a boat dock during phase 1.

Blanding City will take the lead of operating the boat dock. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will continue to manage and monitor the fishery. Future phases may include reconstruct boat ramp and parking lot for boaters, hand-launch parking area and access, swimming beach and parking, trail system, developed camp-sites and new restrooms.

This project promotes sustainable use of natural resources and the lands used to access them.

07/01/2021

06/30/2022

2022

Development and engineering for a master plan will be begin spring 2021 by Blanding City as in-kind contribution to this project (final report October 2022). Construction and installation of the removable boat dock was completed by the hired contractor. Blanding City and DWR signed an MOU stating Blanding City will take on responsibility and maintenance of boat dock.

The boat dock requisition was submitted to DWR purchasing in August 2021. Several bids were received, and all bids were over the project budget. The lowest bid was $9,000 over the project budget. I submitted a request to both Blue Ribbon and Habitat Council for an additional $6,000. Both councils were very gracious to award an additional $6,000 to the project. The region was willing to use $3,000 of regional budget to make up the rest. The project was awarded to Tri-Hurst Construction of Blanding City, September 2021. A site visit was conducted in early fall to finalize design with the contractor. The boat dock was delivered December 2021. Blanding City installed the boat dock for use in May 2022.

Blanding City took ownership and responsibility of the boat dock. The city installed the dock in May 2022 for anglers/boaters to use. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will continue to manage and monitor the fishery. Future phases may include reconstruct boat ramp and parking lot for boaters, hand-launch parking area and access, swimming beach and parking, trail system, developed camp-sites, new restrooms and installation of aquatic habitat to benefit fish.