News

Actions

Utah DWR dumping 500 tons of rocks into Willard Bay to improve fish habitat

Posted at 7:40 PM, Jun 09, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-09 21:40:42-04

WILLARD, Utah - The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources started dumping rocks into Willard Bay Thursday. It’s a project designed to give the bottom of the reservoir a little “variety.”

Crews will dump 500 tons of large rocks into the bay. It’s done by loading up dump trucks one at a time onto a barge, sailing out to a pre-determined location, and dumping the load.

Kent Sorenson, an assistant habitat manager with the DWR, said the bed of the freshwater reservoir is naturally flat, making it difficult for the fish to have a clear habitat.

“We’re trying to give them a place where the fish can target as a familiar place, a place to set up shop,” Sorenson said.

It’s a project DWR has been planning for several years. Sorenson said it will help anglers the most, who sometimes have a hard time pinpointing where native fish will be. The reef of large rocks will provide nooks and crannies for the fish to live and grow in.

“I think it’s a great idea,” said angler Brian Brown. “It will really help.”

Sorenson said crews will make the dumps in about 50 truckloads over about 10 days.