Marina Upgrades on Utah’s Bear Lake

The state of Utah recently passed a bill to fund a $60 million project to double the size of its marina at Bear Lake, one of the state’s most popular boating destinations. The state is reviewing potential locations for the new marina and plans to choose a site and move into the design phase in early 2023. The project will essentially double the resources of the existing marina and bring the slip count up to 300. Plans for a new 7-lane boat launch into deeper water will allow for use during periods of low water level.

The project seeks to meet the increasing demand for boaters visiting Bear Lake. One concern cited in the marina expansion’s open house pamphlet was the existing marina’s inability to serve the number of boaters who visit the lake, leading many patrons to launch at alternate locations and without inspection for invasive aquatic species. With more parking spaces and slips, the new marina will have greater resources to mitigate the introduction of potentially harmful invasive species. The renovation will also make for more efficient access to the water for emergency services as well as improve evacuation options for boaters in inclement weather.

The base concept for the expansion project would adjoin the new facilities to the existing marina at West South Beach. However, three alternate locations will be reviewed before the state moves into final design. The project will go through the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) who will weigh five elements of Environmental Impact, Constructability/Feasibility, Operations/Maintenance, Accessibility, and Cost, before granting environmental clearance for the improvements.

Aside from doubling the existing slip count and increasing parking, the project will also add restrooms, a concession stand, and a picnic area. Construction is slated to begin in the Fall of 2023.