The Fred & Ila Rose Fife Wetlands Preserve and 900 South Constructed Wetlands

 Just off of the Jordan River Parkway are 2 neat little wetlands that are well, basically connected. They are both super short trails to explore with little time, or a great addition to the part of the Jordan River Parkway that crosses through them.

The Fred & Ila Rose Fife Wetlands

Quick Details:

Length: About a half mile loop, or out and back. Or quarter mile detour from the JRP.
Trail Type: Loop, out and back, detour
Difficulty: DR3. It’s flat and hard packed.
Elevation Gain: NA
Restroom: No, but there is one in nearly 9th South River Park.
Dogs? No. They have deemed it a protected safe area for the birds.

To Get Here:

Take i15 to the 13th south exit. Ge west for about 7/10ths of a mile and turn right on 9th west. Go about 6/10ths of a mile and turn left on Montague Avenue. Go to the end and there is a small parking lot at the end.

Head north on the JRP for ~130 feet or so and hang a left on the 9-Line Trail.

If connecting from the JRP, you can do so at the above location, or just a little further north at the next bend in the river. It is signed on both ends.

The Trail:

We connected at the northwest end today.

Crossing over the bend in the river towards the northwest end of the preserve.

The river and the oxbow lake behind it.

Preserve sign.

No dogs sign. They want this to be a safe space for the birds. Dogs leave behind a scent the birds can detect and will make them feel unsafe.

This is one a a rare few minor oxbow lakes that survived our ancestors channeling of the river. So it is something special to explore.

The lake again.

Ducks.

The lake is quite pretty.

Heading toward the south end of the lake.

The south end of the lake.

From the south.

The Jordan River again.

The oxbow lake again.

Panoramic.

From the east end.

Some pretty flowers. Judging by the little flags it would seem they are restoring some plant life.

Neat old bridge.

Better view of the no dogs sign. Basically, they want this to be a place that birds can call home in our city, but the scent of dogs can make them feel like this is not a safe space to be. So please, keep Fido out.

This sign talks about how oxbow lakes are formed. As the river snakes around the flatlands, and changes course, oxbows are formed, and sometimes the river changes course again and oxbow lakes are formed.

The open space program works to restore native plants along the Jordan River.in 2014, the program restored the Fred and Ila Rose Fife wetland Preserve.

It also talks about how they can’t restore the entire river wetland system, they can restore key pockets of it. “Likes beads on a necklace”.

The bridge over the Jordan River. This takes us back to the Jordan River Parkway, and on to our next adventure.

Where the Constructed Wetlands lets out into the river.

The 900 South Constructed Wetlands

Quick Details:

Length: About 2/10ths of a mile loop.
Trail Type: Loop
Difficulty: DR2 it is paved and flat.
Elevation Gain: NA
Restroom: No, but there is one in nearby 9th South River Park
Dogs? Yes, leashed.

To Get Here:

Take i15 to the 13th south exit. Ge west for about 7/10ths of a mile and turn right on 9th west. Go about 6/10ths of a mile and turn left on Montague Avenue. Go to the end and there is a small parking lot at the end.

Head north on the JRP for 130 feet or so and hang a right on the 9-Line Trail.

The Trail:

This sign talks about the importance of riparian areas and steps you can take to keep it healthy if you live near one. And also about local plants that are good for these areas.

This is a stormwater ditch that they have converted into a small riparian wetland that will help filter and clean the water before it goes into the Jordan River.

It also talks about steps we all can take to prevent pollution entering our stormwater.

• Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces
• Set sprinklers to water the landscape and not hard surfaces
• Avoid over watering that can lead to runoff
• Use fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides sparingly
• Recycle yard waste
• Never dispose of anything in the gutter or down a curb inlet
• Never sweep or blow yard or lawn debris into the gutter or street
• Maintain your car in good working order to minimalize leaks
• Pick up after your pet
• Report any illegal dumping by calling (801) 483-6700

The little wetland.

Little dock on the other side.

Already at the back end. I did mention this was a short one right?

Where the stormwater comes in.

Project Overview: The stormwater here originates in Red Butte and Emigration Canyons, and picks up additional sources from drain inlets and springs as it moves through neighborhoods down 9th south. They connected other stormwater systems to increase and divert flows as needed, as well as some weirs to maintain the water levels for a healthy wetland.

The wetland.

With some moss.

Duck!

As stormwater flows through the forebay and the constructed wetlands, litter and sediment is filtered out, and the plants absorb some of the pollutants before the water enter the Jordan River. Wetlands are one of the most effective stormwater practices in terms of pollutant removal, and also offer aesthetic, habitat, and educational value.

The 900 South Constructed Wetland designed to handle the anticipated flows of this section of stormwater system. To collect and settle out sediment, oils, and other litter. With plants selected for their ability to sequester pollutants.

The wetland again.

From one dock to another.

More wetland.

The front again. Super short loop!

I enjoyed both areas. The Fife Wetlands Preserve is prettier, and you get to see one of the few remaining oxbow lakes. The 2nd, not terribly pretty, but nice and informative. If you do one, you might as well add the other since they are both so short. Going with 6 out of 10 squirrels combined.

As for difficulty, The Fife Wetlands is pretty flat but not paved. DR3. The Constructed Wetlands are paved, or boardwalks. DR2.

Dogs are not allowed in the Fife Wetlands

But are allowed in the Constructed Wetlands.