Cedar Springs Marina, Flaming Gorge Reservoir- Floating Trail System for General Public Access, Courtesy Use, and Fishing Area
Project ID: 6700
Status: Cancelled
Fiscal Year: 2024
Submitted By: N/A
Project Manager: Ryan Mosley
PM Agency: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
PM Office: Northeastern Region
Lead: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
WRI Region: Northeastern
Description:
This project will provide an adjustable floating trail system between Cedar Springs Marina and the Cedar Springs public boat ramp. It will allow the general boating and angling public to access both the marina facility and the launch ramp loading area with ease, as well as offering an ADA accessible fishing pier. This floating trail system offers an adjustable alternative to navigating the rocky shoreline while maintaining ADA accessibility to and from the marina.
Location:
The floating dock trail system and courtesy fishing area will be located at Cedar Springs Marina and connected to shore near Cedar Springs public boat ramp on Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Utah. The marina is located approximately 1 mile west of Flaming Gorge Dam at 40.54'43.3" N 109.53.5" W.
Project Need
Need For Project:
With the current drought and reservoir management that Flaming Gorge Reservoir is experiencing, lake levels will most likely continue to drop and will certainly fluctuate more widely than in previous years, causing accessibility issues for the public. Lake levels dropped significantly in 2022 (-10ft from May 2022 to January 2023), which forced the operators to move the marina out of the protected cove that where it has resided for decades. This major adjustment also created a need to relocate the marina gangway entry point. In order to maintain access to the marina, a new shoreline trail will need to be developed before spring of 2023. Building a permanent trail on the shoreline is extremely difficult at this point due to the terrain and grade of the hillside and the fluctuating and unpredictable reservoir levels. In wet years, the water level could rise and cover the trail. In this continued drought scenario, a permanent trail could end up being further away from the water surface Either scenario requires reconnection and reconfiguration annually. New shoreline trail development also requires permitting through the USFS and BOR, which can take a year or two to complete. This of course is a time constraint when the reservoir fluctuates greatly during that permitting approval period. The proposed project includes 500 feet of 100-inch wide dock extending from the boat ramp (A) to the marina (B). Two gangways will provide access at the boat ramp and at the marina. Both of the ends of the new trail system will be used for courtesy boat docking, one for boat ramp launching/receiving and the other side for marina courtesy use. The middle section will be used as a fishing pier and wildlife viewing area and will have guardrails around the edge.
Objectives:
This project was conceived in a meeting between Cedar Springs Marina and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (Division), during which we discussed our concerns with the ever-changing shoreline. Access and protection were determined to be the most critical issues. A floating trail to the marina is a long-term solution for access that can be maintained at all elevations. The floating trail will also help protect the marina entrance point, public boat ramp, and shoreline from wind and wave action. The addition of a fishing dock will be a significant benefit for the lower section of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir where shoreline fishing access is limited. ADA access is especially limited since the Dam Point Fishing Pier was moved to Lucerne Marina. Both Cedar Springs Marina and the Division agree that this is a win-win project and necessary to ensure continued shoreline fishing access as reservoir levels drop.
Project Location/Timing Justification (Why Here? Why Now?):
Existing trail will be impassable or not connected due to high or low reservoir elevations, respectively.
Relation To Management Plan:
Flaming Gorge Reservoir Management Plan, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area Management Plan
Fire / Fuels:
N/A
Water Quality/Quantity:
Protect shoreline, decreased erosion from wave action
Compliance:
Cedar Springs Marina is permitted by the Ashley National Forest as a special use concessionaire
Methods:
Cedar Springs Marina will install and maintain the floating trail, courtesy docks and fishing pier
Monitoring:
Cedar Springs Marina and UDWR will regularly monitor and address maintenance needs
Partners:
Cedar Springs Marina, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and the US Forest Service, Ashley National Forest
Future Management:
Cedar Springs Marina and UDWR will regularly monitor and address maintenance needs
Sustainable Uses of Natural Resources:
N/A
Budget WRI/DWR Other Budget Total In-Kind Grand Total
$315,724.00 $0.00 $315,724.00 $22,000.00 $337,724.00
Item Description WRI Other In-Kind Year
Equipment Purchase EZ Dock fishing pier and components $55,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 2024
Other Time and labor for Cedar Springs Marina operator(s) for installation up to $20K and up to $2K per year for maintenance (time, replacement parts, cleaning) $0.00 $0.00 $22,000.00 2024
Equipment Purchase 500 feet of EZ Dock floating trail and courtesy docks, including delivery $260,724.00 $0.00 $0.00 2024
Funding WRI/DWR Other Funding Total In-Kind Grand Total
$315,724.00 $0.00 $315,724.00 $22,000.00 $337,724.00
Source Phase Description Amount Other In-Kind Year
Private in-kind contribution from Cedar Springs Marina for installation ($22K) and annual maintenance ($2K) $0.00 $0.00 $22,000.00 2024
Habitat Council Account $315,724.00 $0.00 $0.00 2024
Species
Species "N" Rank HIG/F Rank
Kokanee Salmon R3
Threat Impact
Hiking / Foot Travel Low
Lake Trout R5
Threat Impact
Hiking / Foot Travel Low
Rainbow Trout R5
Threat Impact
Hiking / Foot Travel Low
Habitats
Habitat
Mountain Sagebrush
Threat Impact
Droughts High
Open Water
Threat Impact
Commercial and Industrial Areas Low
Open Water
Threat Impact
Dam / Reservoir Operation Low
Open Water
Threat Impact
Droughts High
Project Comments
Completion
Start Date:
End Date:
FY Implemented:
Final Methods:
Project Narrative:
Future Management:
Map Features
ID Feature Category Action Treatement/Type
2885 Other point feature
Project Map
Project Map