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 will formalize a Recapture Reservoir Recreation Improvements Plan in 2022. The first phase identified by all partners is to hire an engineering firm to develop plans to renovate the boat ramp and parking lot.

At the completion of this project, DWR and Blanding City will have a recreation plan that will include Recapture and Blanding #4 Reservoir and a design for the renovation of current boat ramp and parking lot at Recapture Reservoir. The goal is to provide a safe and developed launching area for large watercraft. The project timeline: consultant will be hired in January 2022 to develop recreation plan for Blanding City including Recapture and Blanding #4 Reservoirs; Blanding City recreation plan will finalized August 2022; funding for boat ramp design contractual work received in early summer; Blanding City hires engineering firm to design renovation plans for existing boat ramp and parking lot at Recapture Reservoir; boat ramp renovation design completed and Recapture Reservoir Recreation Improvement Plan finalized by winter; Phase III 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. Wave action and fluctuation water levels continue to erode the current boat ramp (old highway). Every year new potholes are formed increasing the risk of damage to boat and trailers.

This project was determined by Blanding City and the Utah Division of Wildlife has the highest priority and will be the next objective in the Blanding City 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. Wave action and fluctuation water levels continue to erode the current boat ramp (old highway), which contributes chunks of asphalt into 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.

DWR will transfer funds to Blanding City to hire engineering firm to design plans for renovation of current boat ramp and parking lot. Blanding City is currently working with consulting firm to develop recreation plan that will include Recapture Reservoir and Blanding #4 Reservoir. DWR will be involved with development of recreation plan.

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 a consulting firm to draft a recreation plan that includes Recapture Reservoir. 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 hiring an engineering firm to design plans to renovate the current boat ramp and parking lot.

Blanding City will take the lead of operating the newly designed 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 campsites and new restrooms.

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

07/01/2022

06/30/2023

2023

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources transferred funds to Blanding City to hire engineering firm to design plans for renovation of current boat ramp and parking lot.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Blanding City signed a cooperative agreement to transfer funds to hire an engineering firm for the project. All parties involved (UDWR, BLM, Blanding City and Jones and Demille) had a site visit to discuss the scope of the project. BLM and UDWR will coordinate efforts to finalize the archeological surveys and begin NEPA.

Blanding City will take the lead of operating the newly designed boat dock. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will continue to manage and monitor the fishery. Bureau of Land Management and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources are working together to complete archeological surveys and NEPA for the project.