Just after sunset on July 23, 2022, thousands of people gathered around Jackson Flat Reservoir for the annual 24th of July Pioneer Day celebration, “Fireworks on the Water.” This holiday commemorates July 24, 1847, when Brigham Young, then president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and leader of the Mormon pioneers, entered the Salt Lake Valley for the first time. The day is now celebrated annually by the entire state of Utah.
Storm clouds over the Kaibab Plateau and some light rain cooled the weather before the fireworks began. The event continues to grow in popularity and support from across the county.
The Kane County Water Conservancy District hosts the celebration annually with the help of many local stakeholders including Kane County Office of Tourism, Garkane Energy Cooperative, South Central Communications, Ramsay’s Service Center, and the Town of Fredonia. Other sponsors included Sego Restaurant, Parry Lodge, Kane County Farm Bureau, Mineral Springs Beef, Kaibab Processing, Moqui Cave, State Bank of Southern Utah, Zion Bank, The Soda Fountain, Little’s Diesel, Samco Silver Eagle, Western Hills, Clark Electric, Honey’s Marketplace, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and the Kanab Utah Kaibab and Kanab Utah Stakes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Utah and our heritage,” said KCWCD General Manager, Mike Noel. “We would not be able to do such great things for the community without their buy-in and we’d like to thank all of those who contributed to the fireworks.”
Recently, the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation awarded the Kane County Water Conservancy District a grant for $150,000 to improve the Jackson Flat Reservoir recreation area. In 2022, the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation awarded $10.9 million in grant funding for 85 projects across the state of Utah. The awarded project will install a new dock system near the boat ramp on the south side of the reservoir and a rope climbing system near the bouldering rocks.
The improvements will also include over 10,000 square feet of recreational lawn for families and visitors to relax on. The additions to the area near the concessions building will further the outdoor recreational opportunities for our local community and visitors coming to Kane County and make it an improved venue for county events.
“We have a great relationship with the Office of Outdoor Recreation and appreciate them partnering with us again to improve our reservoir,” Board Chairman of the Kane County Water Conservancy District, Ben Clarkson, said. “These amenities will provide greater use and enjoyment for the community as we store and prudently use our water.”
Construction on the new projects is set to begin in August 2022 and will take several months. Kane County Water District asks that all people coming to the reservoir be patient with the construction and mindful of the potential construction hazards.
