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Utilizing
Irrigation Canals in Northern Utah
for Recreational Trail Use: An Evaluation
of Issues and Concerns See
an article based on this thesis: Using
transportation and utility corridors
for trails UTAH
STATE UNIVERSITY Department of Landscape
Architecture and Environmental Planning
Logan, Utah, 2000 -- A Report submitted
in partial fulfillment of the requirement
for the degree of MASTER OF LANDSCAPE
ARCHITECTURE by James
G. Carlson [Copyright James G.
Carlson 2000 - All Rights Reserved] 
ABSTRACT
This study fills
a need for documentation of the issues
and concerns related to planning recreational
trails along irrigation canal rights-of-way
through interviews with canal company
officials and research of related
literature. While this study provides
valuable information for recreation
planners and cities involved in the
planning and development of these
canal trails within northern Utah,
it also has a universal application
that will aid anyone interested in
taking on the often complex task of
developing a canal trail. The report
will be reformatted and summarized
in a smaller publication for the purpose
of informing and educating planners.
The report does not attempt to address
the validity of the many issues and
concerns, but rather, attempts to
increase awareness of their legitimacy
and existence.
| CONTENTS CHAPTER
I. INTRODUCTION General
Background and Challenges
Informal
Use
Conflicts of Interest
Liability Issues
Ownership and
Legal Standing
Need for Open Space
Conservation
Need for Linkage
of Open Space
Need for a Large
Scale Pilot Project
The Extinction
of Experience
Scope of the Study
General Goals of the Research
Significance of the Study
Disclaimer Right:
Trail bridge over one of Logan, Utah's
irrigation canals |  |
CHAPTER
II. HISTORY OF UTAH'S WATER DEVELOPMENT Vital
Role in Successful Civilization
Mormon Settlement of Utah
History
of Conflicts
Doctrine of Prior
Appropriation
New Era of Irrigation
Evolution of the Mutual Irrigation
Company
Improving Water Systems
Historical Significance of Irrigation
Canals CHAPTER
III. RECREATIONAL USE OF CANALS Canal
Trail Benefits
Economic Benefits
Social Benefits
Flora and Fauna
Benefits
Cultural Preservation
Pilot Projects as Models
Underlying
Values
Utah's Recreational Use
Statute
Background
Challenges
Affected Parties
Regional, County
and Local Communities
Canal Company/Water
Authority
Adjacent Landowners
Trail Users CHAPTER
IV. ADJACENT LANDOWNER CONCERNS Common
Adjacent Landowner Concerns and Related
Literature
Increased Crime
Decreased Property Value
Increased
Liability
Maintenance and Management
Fear of Something New CHAPTER
V. CANAL COMPANY INTERVIEWS Interview
Surveys
Interview Development
and Methodology
Survey Pre-Test
Interview Population
Setting up
the Interview
Preliminary Information
Current Use by the Public
Liability
and Injury
Legal Information
Potential Trail/Recreational Development
Canal Operation and Maintenance
General Concerns
Conclusion CHAPTER
VI. CONCLUSION Liability
Issues
Fear of Litigation
Risk Management Efforts
Utah's
Limitation of Landowner Liability
Indemnification and Hold Harmless
Maintenance and Management Issues
Operation and Maintenance Impacts
Implementation Measures
Adjacent
Landowner Concerns
Crime Issues
Preventative Measures
The Public
Process
Building a Broad Based
Coalition
The Opposition Challenge
Value of Canal Trails
Direction
for Future Research REFERENCES
APPENDIX A:
Questionnaire APPENDIX B:
Interviews APPENDIX
C: Utah's Recreational Use Statute/Amendment APPENDIX
D: Example of Recreational Use Agreement APPENDIX
E: Examples of Signage | 
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