Covering Y. canal to save water

PROVO — The piping of a canal below Brigham Young University's Carillon Tower could save much of the water that runs through it, according to campus officials.

The canal, which ran parallel to West and North Campus Drive, was piped in January.

That raised concern among folks who enjoyed the water running through campus, said Roy Peterman, grounds director at BYU.

However, a new landscape design will keep a water feature for passers-by to enjoy, say BYU officials.

A stream will link a series of ponds along a beautified trail. Even the ducks that have frequented the area for years will have access to the water, Peterman said.

Cooling water from Heritage Halls will be recycled through the ponds and stream.

Work crews should finish the project by May 21. Until it was covered, the canal lost up to 42 percent of its water through evaporation and seepage, water officials said.