November 9, 2023 –-Officials from various government levels and sectors gathered in a field near Toquerville, Utah on Tuesday to celebrate the commencement of the Toquer Reservoir construction, a key component of the Ash Creek Project. St. George News reports that this initiative, which has been in planning for two decades, finally progressed significantly in 2019.  The project is financed by a collective $15 million from federal, state, and local sources.  It received a substantial financial boost from the 2022 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The Toquer Reservoir will have a 3,725-acre-foot capacity and cover 115 acres.  The reservoir is part of the Ash Creek Project that includes an 18.8-mile pipeline connecting Ash Creek Reservoir to the Toquer Reservoir site.

The primary goal is to conserve water from Ash Creek Reservoir, which has been underperforming due to seepage since its construction in the 1960s.

The reservoir’s construction is expected to take two years. Post-completion plans include the Utah Division of State Parks to offer recreational activities such as non-motorized boating and camping.

Image:  Screenshot from the following video from St. George News: