LOGAN – Friends of the Little Logan River are marshaling local sentiment to oppose a plan being considered which threatens to sever the historic river from its natural flow by confining it to piped conduits and pressurized systems.
At the regular meeting of the Logan Municipal Council on April 2, Ben Murray of J-U-B Engineering gave a brief overview of the proposed Logan River Watershed Plan (LRWP) which is being developed jointly with the Cache Water District.
One facet of that larger project includes a proposal to enclose the Little Bear River as it passes through the city. Although public comment was not allowed at that meeting, local groups are now joining forces to oppose that plan.
Among the activities aimed at inspiring local citizens to “Save the Little Logan River” will be a photo display at the Cache Pioneer Museum planned by the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers during the upcoming Logan Gallery Walk on April 19.
Featuring photographic artwork of the Little Logan River by Clarissa Casper and Eli Lucero, that display will be held from 6 to 9 p.m.
The Little Logan River — also known as the North Branch of the Logan River — serves as a vital waterway through the city of Logan.
It originates in the Island neighborhood, where it diverges from the Logan River at River Hollow Park. From there, it passes through Jens Johansen Park, Merlin Olsen Central Park, Pioneer Park, Garff Gardens, the Cache County Fairgrounds and Willow Park West before rejoining the Logan River at the western edge of town.
The river sustains a greenbelt of vegetation and trees, where wildlife from deer to owls and Great Blue Herons can be found. On summer days, various neighborhood families seek the comforting coolness of the Little Logan River.
As currently proposed, LRWP would enclose the riverbed of the Little Logan River at River Hollow Park, according to Hilary Shughart, the president of the Bridgerland Audubon Society.
“The main stem of the Little Logan River will be dried out all along the south bank of River Hollow Park, forever cutting off the Little Logan River from the Logan River,” Shughart says.
“The Little Logan River’s greenbelt of parks will be dependent upon the release of piped and pressurized secondary water west of Crockett Avenue,” she adds. “There will be no water east of Crockett Avenue; no water for River Hollow Park; no more wading and tubing at River Hollow Park.”
Although the public comment period on the LRWP expired just eight days after Murray’s presentation to the city council, Shughart is urging local residents to continue to voice opposition to the proposal for the Little Logan River.
“It not too late to let them know that the Little Logan River…is important to you,” she emphasizes. “Comments submitted after the (April 10) deadline will be included on the public record and taken into consideration as time allows.”
Additional information about the proposed project can be obtained by contacting the Logan River Watershed Public Involvement Team by phone at 435-213-2872, via e-mail at loganriver@utwatershed.com or by going online to https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/logan-river-watershed-project.
The Cache Pioneer Museum is located at 160 North Main Street in downtown Logan.