Tag Archive: jordan river

No Dumping Sign Jordan River, Murray – Utah

No Dumping Sign Jordan River, Murray - Utah

No dumping signs are meant to prevent the disposal of trash, chemicals, or other pollutants into the water, which can harm aquatic ecosystems, endanger wildlife, and contaminate water supplies for nearby communities.

Dumping waste into rivers contributes to significant environmental problems, including water pollution, habitat destruction, and the disruption of natural ecosystems. Many areas enforce strict penalties for illegal dumping to protect these vital natural resources. Such signs often accompany educational campaigns or cleanup efforts to encourage environmental stewardship and raise awareness about the importance of keeping waterways clean.

The Jordan River in Utah is a significant waterway running approximately 51 miles from Utah Lake in Utah County to the Great Salt Lake in Salt Lake County. Serving as a natural and cultural landmark, the river is integral to the region’s water system and provides habitats for diverse wildlife, including fish, birds, and mammals. The river flows through the heart of the Salt Lake Valley, intersecting various cities and communities.

Dead Carp Fish on Beach – Great Salt Lake – Utah

Dead Carp Fish on Beach - Great Salt Lake - Utah

A view of a dead carp fish from the Great Salt Lake in northern Utah. The Great Salt Lake, a small remnant of the much larger Pleistocene Lake Bonneville, is as the name suggests very salty, and mostly uninhabitable as far as fish are concerned, but all of the water that flows into the lake, comes from fresh water rivers, and springs that flow from the surrounding Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountain Ranges. This particular fish likely entered the Great Salt Lake from the Jordan River, which connects to Utah lake and receives fresh water from both ranges.

The survivability of carp near the edges of the Great Salt Lake has likely also impacted by a number of environmental issues, especially in the last decade. Including a decreasing flow of water to the lake as its diverted for agriculture and housing development, as well as hotter, drier summers due to climate change and drought. Increasing salinity, salt water intrusion, and pollution concentration as the lake has shrunk are also potential factors.

Jordan and Salt Lake Canal – Utah

Jordan and Salt Lake Canal - Utah

Developed in the 1880’s the Salt Lake Valley is noted for its extensive irrigation canals, that convey water from mountain streams and Utah Lake throughout the valley using a series of canals running parallel to the Jordan River. The picture above is from West Jordan during the winter time, after the fall harvest when water is no longer needed. While in the past the water was used primarily for growing crops, now serves a largely residential homes, with orchards, lawns, landscaping and gardens.