Spectacular Donut Falls

Watershed protection of the public drinking water supply provides an added public benefit.

LeRoy W. Hooton, Jr.

December 23, 2010

Donut Falls located in Big Cottonwood Canyon southeast of Salt Lake City.

 In a recent issue of Zions Bank's Community publication there was a feature story entitled, “Spectacular Waterfall Hikes” located within the Intermountain West.  Highlighted in the article were seven falls. Included on the list was Donut Falls, located in the South Fork, Mill D in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The falls flow through a hole in the rocks (the donut hole), then continue downstream to the main stem of Big Cottonwood Creek.  A popular destination for families, it can be reached by an easy 3/4-mile hike; however the last 100 feet is rather steep and may be difficult for some. 

Public access to this aqua treasure has not always been possible. Beginning in the early 1990s, Donut Falls and the trail were posted for no trespassing by a private development company who owned the property. The company was concerned over the liability risks arising from accidents that may occur on its private property.  However, this changed in 2007, when the Department of Public Utilities purchased the property for watershed protection.  On January 16, 145 acres of property including Donut Falls, were purchased from Honolulu-based Sierra Partners for $1.284 million, financed from the Department's Watershed Purchase and Water Rights Fund.  Consistent with the City's Master Plan, the property is managed under watershed protection ordinances and open for public use.

This dedicated purchase fund was authorized in 1988, as part of the Master Plan for the purpose of acquiring critical watershed lands and water rights in the Wasatch Canyons from which the City receives about 50 percent of its water supply. In 1991, the City Council approved a surcharge on each water bill to finance the purchase program.

The City has a long history of watershed protection through land acquisition dating back to 1885. Currently it owns over 24,000 acres of watershed property in the Wasatch Canyons.  The U.S. Forest Service is the largest property owner in the canyons.  Under federal legislation passed in 1914 (PL.199) and 1934 (PL.259), Salt Lake City and the U.S. Wasatch-Cache National Forest Service have entered into interlocal agreements to manage the forest lands in such a manner as to protect the City's water supply.

Currently, the Department of Public Utilities has acquired 1,905 acres of watershed property under the current purchase program at a cost of $9,170,755. 

In 2005, the City's watershed purchase program was recognized by receiving the Utah Growth Commission Award for Critical Land Conservation.