Below is the first of several upcoming profiles of avid Utah Lake users.
There are a lot of reasons to like Utah Lake. But its sprawling size and extra elbow room is chief among them, says Rick Cox, a water services manager and lifelong Utah Lake user.
“I grew up skiing Utah Lake,” Rick says. “I love that on a busy day in the harbor, with all the parking filled, I can still get on the lake and not worry about crowding. I have never had a close encounter with another boater on Utah Lake as I have had on smaller reservoirs.”
It’s not just legroom that attracts Rick to the lake, however. “I like that the water warms quicker in the spring and stays warmer longer in the fall, thus extending my boating season. I love that it is close to my home—access is quick and travel time limited. And I love Provo Bay, where the water is more protected from winds and often skiable when the main lake is not.”
The views aren’t bad either. “I enjoy the vast vistas from the lake looking back at Mount Timpanogos and the entire Wasatch front,” he says.
When asked if there’s one thing he would tell everyone about the lake, the water expert doesn’t hesitate. “Utah Lake water quality is every bit as safe as the clear mountain reservoirs,” he says, addressing Utah Lake’s reputation for being murkier than most (as explained here due to its shallowness).
In fact, “Crowded clear reservoirs without waste water skeptics have more potential contagions than a highly aerated, sun bathed, and highly controlled system like Utah Lake,” Rick maintains, which when coupled with the above, makes Utah Lake a personal favorite.
There you have it. Wide open space + easy access – crowds + excellent views + cloudy but safe water = Utah Lake.
See also: Getting the most out of your next visit to Utah Lake