Outdoor notes

LABOR DAY AT PARKS

Utah state parks managers anticipate full campgrounds and busy waterways and trails this Labor Day weekend.

Whether camping, boating, biking or riding off-highway vehicles, park rangers encourage visitors to be prepared for a safe holiday weekend by following these safety tips:

• Wear a life jacket; it's the law for those 12 and under and recommended for everyone.

• Youths ages 12 to 17 must complete and pass a personal watercraft education course before operating a PWC on their own.

• Youths ages 8 to 15 must complete and pass the "Know Before You Go!" education course before operating OHVs on public lands.

• Always wear a safety-rated and properly fitted helmet, goggles, clothes that cover arms and legs, and over-the-ankle boots.

• Ride OHVs only in areas designated for their use.

The following state parks have campsites available, and reservations may be made up to two days before your arrival: Antelope Island, Escalante, Fremont Indian, Goblin Valley, Green River, Jordanelle-Rock Cliff, Kodachrome, Quail Creek, Red Fleet, Sand Hollow, Scofield, Snow Canyon, Steinaker, Utah Lake, Willard Bay and beach sites at Yuba.

To make a reservation or for more information, visit stateparks.utah.gov or call 801-322-3770 from within the Salt Lake calling area and 800-322-3770 from outside the area.

WATER CONDITIONS

Heading into the Labor Day weekend, here are conditions at some of the recreational waters in Utah:

The only ramps closed are those at Willard Bay State Park, where water levels have been kept low because of work on the dikes. The water temperature is 80 degrees, but the bay is only 45 percent full.

Most Utah waters are in the comfortable range. Bear Lake, Yuba and Jordanelle, for example, are 70 degrees, while Deer Creek and East Canyon are 68 degrees. Toward the southern end of the state, temperatures are warmer. Gunlock waters are 81 degrees, and Sand Hollow waters are 84 degrees.

Deer Creek, where ongoing dam repairs are in progress, is only about half full, while East Canyon is 85 percent full and Jordanelle is full.