Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities (SLCDPU) is rehabilitating the Emigration Creek stormwater culvert, the 60” diameter pipe which conveys creek water beneath 1700 South. The culvert itself has fallen into disrepair and its poor conditions are contributing to significant erosion of the embankments of Emigration Creek. A flooding event which occurred during the spring 2023 runoff season exacerbated preexisting conditions and expedited the project timeline.

Residents and visitors in the area will see significant construction activity while this rehabilitation effort is underway (October 2024 through April 2025). SLCDPU wants to assure our community that while construction activities may appear disruptive, our ultimate goals are to ensure safe and efficient conveyance of Salt Lake City’s stormwater and to restore the natural beauty of Emigration Creek and its surroundings.

What is the problem?

The culvert and stormwater infrastructure on Emigration Creek have fallen into disrepair. Conditions were poor prior to a flooding event which occurred in spring 2023 and exacerbated preexisting conditions. Photos below illustrate the culvert’s poor condition:

• Poor conditions of the culvert and stormwater infrastructure are contributing to unnecessary erosion along the banks of Emigration Creek. Erosion can lead to stormwater contamination.
• In Salt Lake City, stormwater is not treated. Stormwater is precipitation (snow/rain), melting snow pack, and irrigation water which does not infiltrate the ground and runs off. Stormwater is captured in Salt Lake City’s network of 379 miles of pipe which carry it to our local water bodies, ultimately ending at Great Salt Lake.
• Protecting the quality of Salt Lake City’s stormwater is essential to ensuring the health of our local water bodies, including Great Salt Lake. The Emigration Creek stormwater rehabilitation project will:
  • upgrade the structures which control the flow of Emigration Creek;
  • realign the culvert to direct flows away from embankments;
  • add an outlet erosion control structure to dissipate creek flow energy;
  • revegetate, grade, and stabilize existing embankments to restore Emigration Creek’s surroundings to their natural beauty.

Project Goals:

• Slip-lining existing 60” diameter culvert with durable-material pipe to extend longevity
• Extending the existing culvert approx. 50 ft. downstream and realigning it with the centerline of Emigration Creek to better direct flows away from embankments
• Adding an outlet erosion control structure to dissipate creek flow energy and mitigate the risk of further embankment erosion
• Revegetating and grading existing embankment landscaping, including:
  • Protect and preserve as many native trees as possible within project limits. The removal of a small number of trees is a necessary element to stabilizing existing embankments.
  • Tree replanting is a significant consideration in this project. J-U-B Engineering, the landscape architect, determined the maximum number of trees to be established within the project area, which allows us to replace those few trees which need to be removed and capitalizes on increasing native trees to flourish in the area.
• Trenchless (CIPP) technology is being used to rehabilitate existing pipe to minimize impact to the natural environment.

Construction Impacts

• Temporary roadway and lane restrictions
• Vehicle and pedestrian detours
• On-street parking restrictions
• Temporary interruption to driveway access
• Increased noise, dust and vibration
• Work is anticipated to occur Monday – Friday, 7:00 am – 6:00 pm

Project Timeline

Construction began in October 2024 and substantial completion is scheduled for April 2025. Most construction activity will be completed in fall and early winter 2024 before pausing for winter. Surface restoration and landscaping are scheduled for spring 2025. Construction schedule is subject to change.

Stay Informed

For more information about this project, please email us.