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Silver Lake, Big Cottonwood Canyon
July 12, 1999
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Silver Lake, Big Cottonwood Canyon is located in Brighton, Utah.
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Located in Brighton, Utah, Silver Lake is a short drive from Salt Lake City and provides quick relief from the urban blues. The picturesque natural lake is located just northwest of Brighton, and has long been a
scenic centerpiece of the area. Located at the 8,730 foot elevation, the summer daytime temperature is about 20 degrees cooler than the Salt Lake valley. One can imagine that during the early history of
Brighton, that many a picnic was enjoyed along its lush banks, as it is just off State Road 152. At the turn of the century, a horse drawn buggy followed by the Models T’s and then A’s brought visitors to
the lake. The generations of that era fondly remember their all-day trip to Brighton. Today it’s a 20-minute trip from the mouth of the canyon traveled by thousands every year.
The US Forest Service operates and maintains the facility that includes an Information Center, 0.8 miles of walkway around the lake and interpretive signage.
The US Forest Service built the walkway in 1992, and the following year Solitude Ski Resort built the Information Center building. During the summer months the
US Forest Service operates the Center over weekends and on holidays between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
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Lake user reads forest service information. Over 100,000 people use the lake’s facilities.
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Russ Hone, Salt Lake City Watershed Manager, praises the facility, “The Silver Lake facility provides thousands an outdoor experience with the added benefit of educating the public on watershed and
environmental stewardship.” The area is part of Solitude’s Nordic track area during the winter months. A forest spokesperson estimates that 100,000 people use the area each summer.
The Information Center and walkway are ADA accessible. The lake is stocked with fish and extended walkways protrude into the lake providing an excellent opportunity for ADA fishing. “This area is one
of the most popular fishing areas in the entire Wasatch watershed,” says Mr. Hone, continuing, “My daughter caught her first fish at Silver Lake.”
Silver Lake has been part of Salt Lake City’s water supply since 1907, when the City first entered into exchange agreements with the valley farmers who used the
water for irrigating their farmlands. Today, nearly all of the waters flowing in Big Cottonwood Creek are used for municipal purposes.
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Board walk provides an ideal spot to fish, relax and enjoy the lake.
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The Information Center and interpretive signage located on the walkway exemplifies a key element of Salt Lake City’s “1999 Canyon Master Plan.” The Plan recommends a stronger education program.
According to Florence Reynolds, Water Quality and Treatment Administrator, “Public information and education are essential to our continued efforts of protecting the drinking water supply for
400,000 valley residents. She adds, “The Lake provides an excellent opportunity to educate the public on watershed and drinking water issues. I hope along with other
watershed partners, we can expand the educational aspect of the Information Center and Lake Facilities.”
Russ Hone reminds everyone while in the canyons to observe watershed rules; adding “that dogs are not allowed in the watershed canyons.”
Questions regarding this article can be directed to: russ.hone@ci.slc.ut.us
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