Diversion rebuilt on Provo River

PROVO — In an effort to help recover the June sucker fish from the endangered species list, the Fort Field Diversion, located on the Provo River about four miles up the river from Utah Lake, was reconstructed last month.

The diversion originally was built in 1932 to irrigate agricultural fields, but a new design was created that officials say will allow the fish to freely move up and down the stream and the irrigation to be unimpeded.

Project coordinator Maureen Wilson said the reconstruction also will help all fish species in the area move more freely.

Wilson said the June sucker spawn in that section of the river, and the reconstruction will open up a new area for that to take place and for the species to grow in numbers.

"June sucker are found only in Utah Lake — the only place in the world they naturally exist," she said. "They are an important part of the Utah Lake ecosystem."

— Sara Lenz