Hello [FIRSTNAME],

Fall is right around the corner. In this issue of Friend's you find some ways to celebrate the last few days of summer, read about some interesting issues brewing around the state, and learn about some great volunteer opportunities. Enjoy!

Happenings at the Council

Provo River Clean-Up. Get your hands on river protection! Join us on Saturday, September 15th from 9:00 am to Noon to clean a stretch of the Provo River and trail. Meet at Canyon Glen Park in Provo Canyon, be sure to wear shoes and clothes that can get wet and muddy, and bring a water bottle. For more information, contact Lauren at 801-486-4776, or via e-mail. RSVPs appreciated, but not required!

River Benefit coming soon! Saturday, October 13th at The Jewish Community Center, the Council will once again hold its annual River Benefit. Enjoy great food, fine conversation, and live and silent auctions. Tickets are $50.00 per person and can be purchased by calling 486-4776. Please RSVP by Wednesday, October 5th.

Fall 2007 Explore Series. It's not too late to get out on the river. On Wednesday, September 19 Dave Bastian will lead a float down the Jordan River. On Saturday, September 22, Amy Defreese will lead a canoe trip down the Bear River outside of Benson, Utah. Your $20 donation will register you for one of the two trips and enroll you for a one year membership with the Utah Rivers Council. There are only a few spots left for each trip so call soon to register with the Council at 801-486-4776 or email Dave or Amy.

Join the Council for a hike along the potential Wild and Scenic Stillwater Creek - On Saturday September 29 the Council is leading a short hike along this gem of a river on the north slope of the Uintas Mountains. The trailhead is a short two hour drive from Salt Lake City. Stillwater Creek along with Hayden Fork and Ostler Fork comprise some of the incredible headwaters of the Bear River. Call the Council to reserve your space today!

Salt Lake County is hosting the first annual Salt Lake Countywide Watershed Symposium on October 3rd and 4th at the South Towne Expo Center and they need your help. The event includes lively discussions, field trips and lunch. The county needs volunteers to drive the vans for the field trips as well as staff the tables for registration. There are two or three hour shifts available in the morning or afternoon from 8:15 am to 5:00pm. If you need more information or want to volunteer, contact Nicholas Daniels at 801-815-2260 (cell), 801-468-2796 (Office) or at Ndaniels@slco.org.

Price River Clean-Up. Join The Council on Saturday, October 6th to clean a stretch of the Price River. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lauren at 801-486-4776, or via e-mail.

Bend-in-the-River Fall Project. It's a morning of noxious weed removal in an urban natural area on the Jordan River! Join Bend In The River on Saturday, September 22nd from 8:30 a.m. to noon for a light breakfast, a brief orientation, and then some hearty work removing noxious weeds. Those who volunteer will receive a free T-shirt courtesy of REI. RSVP by September 19th with the number of people in your party to tpoelzing@sa.utah.edu.

Conservation Tip

That leaky faucet let's you know there is a problem, but what about a leaking toilet? You can waste up to 15,000 gallons of water a month from a leaky loo! There is a simple way to check for this problem. You'll need some dye, some municipal water companies will provide dye capsules or tablets, but food coloring or instant coffee works fine. Put enough dye in the tank water to give the water a deep color, wait 30 minutes and make sure nobody uses the toilet. If there is any of the dyed water in the toilet bowl after the time has passed, your toilet is leaking. Consider a new low flow toilet if it is time to replace. If a fix is in order, purchase a tank repair kit, an inexpensive way to save both water and money.

River News Roundup

Diversion dam pits farmers against fisherman - recently a fly fisher visited his favorite spot on the Provo River only to be completely shocked and saddened. The very stretch he had fished days earlier was now completely dammed and diverted. This incident highlights the conflicts between recreation/rivers and farmers in the Western United States. The farmer in this case had a legal right to divert the river for his fields. This highlights the problems with the current water law in Utah. The water law needs to change in order to provide instream flows for the river at the same time as providing the farmer water for his fields. To learn more, view the Salt Lake opinion editorial.

Biologist: Water plan invites peril - A Nevada biologist has examined the Southern Nevada Water Authority's plans to take the water for golf course and home development in the Las Vegas area, and deemed it a guaranteed ecological disaster. Is a water war imminent? Find out in the Salt Lake Tribune Article.

Help protect the rivers you love - join the Council!

Your dues support our education and advocacy efforts and your membership provides the political clout necessary to make an effective case for protecting Utah's rivers. Join over 1,500 of your neighbors in speaking out for river protection through a Council membership. Join or renew on-line with our secure web form.