Utah Lake

Utah Lake is a shallow freshwater lake in Utah Valley in north-central Utah and is the largest freshwater lake in the state. It sits within Utah County west of the Wasatch Range and serves as a regional waterbody for recreation and irrigation.

Recreational use concentrates along the eastern shore near cities such as Provo and Orem, where there are boat ramps, marinas and trails for walking and birdwatching. Fishing, sailing and paddle sports are common; the lake supports large populations of migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. Utah Lake State Park provides public access with day-use facilities and boat launches.

The lake is a natural feature that has been used for irrigation and local fisheries since Euro-American settlement of the valley in the mid 19th century. It has also been affected by changing land use and invasive fish species, which have altered ecology and water clarity over time.

Geographically the lake occupies much of Utah Valley, lying immediately west of the cities of Provo and Orem and roughly 45 miles (about 72 km) south of Salt Lake City. The Provo River flows into the lake and the Jordan River flows north out of it toward the Great Salt Lake.

• State park: Boat launches, camping and day-use facilities are located on the lake's northeastern shore at Utah Lake State Park.
• Invasive fish: Common carp dominate the lake's fish biomass and have contributed to low water clarity; periodic management and restoration projects have been undertaken to address this.

What to See #

• Utah Lake State Park: Boat launches, a marina and picnic areas are concentrated at the northeastern shore within the state park, which serves as the primary public access point for boating and watersports.
• Provo Bay: The shallow western basin known as Provo Bay lies at the mouth of the Provo River and is a focal point for local fishing and waterfowl concentrations.