Waterways
Silver Springs Community Waterways
The waterways in Silver Springs are currently owned by two entities. The spillways, outlet and inlet waters, the waters in the ponds/lakes and the Water Rights belong to Mountain Regional Water Special Service District and to the State. The banks and land beneath these waterways belong to the General Membership through the Master HOA. The waterways water quality is not suitable for swimming, wading, or water sports.
Not all waterways easements belong to the MA some are drainage easements on individual properties and some are controlled by the MAHOA. See http://www.silverspringscommunity.com/master-association/ma-common-area-parcels/ for a list and descriptions of the community waterways parcels.
Robert L. Morgan, State Engineer has written a letter explaining to the HOA that it is illegal to divert or store any water from any stream. The direct flows into and out of the lakes are considered to be Spring Creek, and modification of these streams requires a Stream Alteration Permit from the Utah Department of Natural Resources Division of Water Rights. Some of the diversions throughout Silver Springs are considered canals or ditches that do not require permits. The Division of Wildlife Resources has had a moratorium on any additional ponds, no matter how small, on the East Canyon Creek drainage because of water quality, temperature problems in this drainage, and construction activities that have introduced silt and debris into the water, as well as chemicals such as phosphorous.Additionally, the growth of cattails and other fauna has choked the waterways and inhibited the migration of fish. Autumn flows in the ladder are minimal. The stream channels need to be rehabilitated in order to regain the fish population. (Also see Administrative Rules of the Division of Water Rights.)We are looking for photos of all water features, ponds, lakes, streams, etc. that anyone might have to share with us. Please send or contact webmaster@silverspringscommunity.com
Do not play on or around the aerators, baffles, or any drain structure, they are dangerous.
Do not tie your boat to them.
1988 August 8 - American Savings Letter regarding Parcels: “Waterways: Silver Willow Lake, its inlet and outlet streams and the surrounding riprap together with a 15-foot buffer strip outside the riprap are owned by the Silver Springs Water Company. Use of these by the Homeowners and others will be regulated by the Water Company.”
Minutes of the Planning Commission for Meeting held August 23, 1988.
Minutes of the Planning Commission for Meeting held September 13, 1988.
Silver Springs south entry sign erected c. 1981 at the south entry into Silver Springs. Spring Creek is the point of water delivery. This parcel was suppose to be deeded to the Silver Springs HOA. - Photo courtesy of Vern C. Hardman
This original sign logo was removed from the frame when the gas station was sold to SInclair Oil Co. The sign logo was stored across Hwy 224 in Franklin D. Richard III’s red barn. A fluke tornado tore the barn roof off and dumped it on the newly refurbished Snyder Cemetery wrought iron fence. When the remainder of the barn was torn down our original logo sign was hauled away with the debris.
Silver Springs South Entry sign - April 2008 - Photo courtesy of Clay Archer
“We all live downstream”
It is against the law to introduce any species of plant or animal into these ponds.
1981- Silver Springs Water Distribution System
1981-Note the landscaped enjoyment easement along the waterways intended for all residents.
WINTER WATERWAYS IN SILVER SPRINGS
Silver Willow Lake in Winter - with Mooney’s “Ice Rink” - Photo courtesy of Rob Follett
Quarter mile “ice skating oval” on Silver Willow Lake January 2009 - Photo courtesy of Rob Follett
Duck Lake in Winter - March 2008 - Photo courtesy of L. Archer
Feeding the ducks
Ducks on the Pond - March 2008 - Photo courtesy of L. Archer
Southeast spring into Silver Springs Lake - March 2008 - Photo courtesy of L.Archer
WILL WE LOSE ACCESS AND USE OF THIS “PRIVATIZED” STREAM
SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL SILVER SPRINGS WATERWAYS
Duck Lake in the Fall - Photo courtesy of Rob Follett
There is a fish ladder on the east end of Duck Lake that was built by the SouthShore developers for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as mitigation for other culvert work done on Spring Creek (Application number 91-35-18SA). The ladder allows fish to migrate, each spring, from the large lake up to the small lake and up Spring Creek to spawn.
” Spring 1984-Willow Creek in our backyard before all the willows.” –Photo courtesy of Kirsten Kobler
Summer 2008 Ptarmigan foot bridge across Willow Creek
Silver Springs circa 1981 - First Homes before lakes were dredged
[North is at top] Waterways in Silver Springs - Silver Willow Lake on top, Silver Willow Pond in middle, Minnow Pond bottom right.
[North is at bottom] View of most of Silver Springs Community Waterways.
Lower Pond (big Silver Willow Lake) History - Lower refers to the lower elevation of the big lake (6480′ above sea level), though it is north of the smaller lake it is “downhill” from the smaller lake. Stream flow is from the Upper Pond (6510′ above sea level) (small lake) to the Lower Pond (large lake). Note inlet and outlet streams/ drainage channels.
December 2000 Water Committee:
Ralph Stanislaw - Park Place
Ron Duyker - South Shore
Matt Lindon - Silver Springs
Brodie Pollard - Silver Springs
Mike Washington - North Shore
Jaylene Chandler - Sun Peak
Chuck Hollingshead -Sun Peak
Ron Lockhart - Sun Peak
Craig Smith & Brett Rich - Attorneys from Neilson & Senior
Lake Treatment Summary - By Gaylynn Mooney
The Lake requires several different chemicals to be added once or several times a year in order to maintain a degree of clarity, decrease the foul smell each spring, keep the weeds from growing, etc.
What the MA Board budgeted and spent for Lake maintenance and clean-up
2005: $34,597.17;
2006: $115,658 plus a Special Assessment of $69,525, plus Summit County paid $32,000 ;
2007: $24, 405;
2008: Proposed $90,000. for the Small Lake.
Pond/Lake Cleanup and Proper Plantings
Keith B. Clapier, owner of Park City Arborist, was hired by the HOA at Deer Lake Village on Queen Esther Drive to clean up their 1.5 acre pond. Besides removing 1,000 pounds of goldfish from the water the pond is being cleaned by big mouth bass and plantings around the perimeter of the pond. Clapier is an expert on surveying wetlands and riparian habitats (areas bordering waterways). Clapier will be planting riparian zone trees like cottonwood and birch as well as introducing native grasses and aquatic plants to the Deer Valley pond. “Ideally, 100 percent of the shoreline will be covered in plants,” he said, Clapier is a 20-year native of the U.S. Forest Service. “Trees placed in the right places will not obstruct views, but will provide the water with cooling shade and over-hanging branches from which insects fall in, nourishing the fish and amphibians (frogs, salamanders)….Properly placed aquatic plants in ponds and streams have dense, fibrous root systems that filter out sediment and contaminants, and remove fertilizer nitrogen that causes algae to bloom and thrive.” Properly planned and planted waterways attract water fowl, deer and moose, and are visually more attractive and beautiful to look at and enjoy. Clapier can be contacted at 435-513-2188
Cattail Control
Cattails are colonial plants rising from creeping stems called rhizomes like a branching shrub on its side. The creeping rootstock of underground rhizomes is one means of reproduction to rapidly spread cattails locally while the seeds are another way cattails establish new colonies. The common cattail can grow up to nine feet in height.
Cattails can quickly ruin a pond’s visual and recreational benefits. Control is best achieved through disruption of the root system. Cutting cattails 2 or 3 inches under the waterline 2 or 3 times to drown them can actually stimulate them if done in May. Pulling them out by the roots can be impractical and costly to dispose.
Cattails are perennial wetland plants found growing above the surface of the water in marshes, ditches, shoreline shallow areas of lakes, ponds, slow streams, quiet water up to 4 feet deep, and seasonal flood areas.
Although widespread throughout most of North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, cattails are not likely to grow in depths exceeding 18? to 24? or areas not wet most of the growing season.
Cattail seeds germinate in April and plants mature from July through August.
We recommend Avocet with Cide Kick II for easy control without digging up the landscape or concern over maintaining water level.Using our treatment method, herbicide travels throughout the plant killing both the roots and vegetative portions. Simply spray on the portions of the cattail that can be reached. There is no need to spray from multiple directions.
Restore the visual and recreational value of your property through optimum treatment results.
Contact Lake Restoration at 1-877-428-8898 for application tips regarding timing, affects of weather, results, and more.