Lindon council pauses decision on trading 38 water shares for Provo River Aqueduct capacity

LINDON, Utah — Lindon City Council on Jan. 20 agreed to continue consideration of a proposal that would trade 38 water shares to Central Utah in exchange for 5 cubic feet per second (CFS) of conveyance capacity in the Provo River Aqueduct (PRA).

Public works director Juan Garrido told the council the trade would secure capacity that city staff say is needed to reliably deliver secondary water and reduce leakage and liability tied to the aging North Union/Provo Bench canal system. "Conveyance is just as important as having the water," Garrido said, explaining the city currently has limited dependable conveyance and has been losing water through leakage and theft.

Residents and water-share holders pressed the council for more time and engineering information. Jim Dane, speaking during public comment, described a long history of local canal construction and urged the council not to "throw [the canal] away" without studying phased piping and other options. "Please take more time to think through this," Dane said, arguing the city should consider keeping North Union as an asset.

Larry Ellwerson and other commenters echoed concerns about surrendering shares that could be re-assigned to other users. Ellwerson asked, "Are they buying water or are they buying air?" and warned that once shares are traded they belong to the buyer.

Garrido said the proposed trade is intended to convert water-share assets into reliable capacity the city can use through an existing turnout into the PRA and that staff can continue to lease additional capacity year-to-year during the transition. He cited current holdings and usage figures discussed in the meeting: the city has roughly 5,373 acre-feet of water on paper and uses about 3,000 acre-feet annually, and trading 38 shares represents an exchange for conveyance capacity, not the immediate physical transfer of wet water.

Council members split on the timing. Several members said securing capacity now reduces long-term risks and liability associated with the failing open canal and safeguards the city from future state restrictions tied to inefficient conveyance. Opponents urged a pause to obtain additional technical analysis and broader participation from residents and water experts before a lifetime-level decision.

A motion to continue the item was moved and seconded; the council voted to continue the matter to a future meeting with the intent to hold a public session for a full council review and additional technical briefings. Mayor Carolyn Lundberg said the item will be re-noticed and that the council aims for a follow-up meeting so all members can be present.

What’s next: Staff will arrange additional briefings and documentation, and the council agreed to revisit the proposal with full attendance. The item remains open and will return to a future council agenda for a final vote.