Salt Lake County’s Office of Regional Development, Design Workshop, and LimnoTech led a collaborative planning process to develop a plan that brought together municipalities, planners, ecologists, and residents to co-create a visionary framework for the region’s waterways.
Image Credit: Design Workshop
Rendering in the H2Oquirrh Vision Plan of the Foothills area. The graphic shows a waterway surrounded by native riparian plantings and a walking path with people recreating.

Location:
Salt Lake County, Utah

Client:
Salt Lake County, Office of Regional Development

Partners:
Design Workshop

Service Areas:

Our Expert:

The H2Oquirrh Vision Plan reimagines the waterways of southwest Salt Lake County as lively, connected corridors that promote ecological health, recreation, and resilient urban development. Salt Lake County’s Office of Regional Development, Design Workshop, and LimnoTech led a collaborative planning process to develop a plan that brought together municipalities, planners, ecologists, and residents to co-create a visionary framework for the region’s waterways.

The Challenge

Southwest Salt Lake County is experiencing rapid urban growth, putting increasing pressure on its natural and engineered waterways that originate from the Oquirrh Mountains. These streams, including Bingham, Midas, Rose Creeks, and others, are crucial for stormwater management, wildlife habitat, and public recreation.

Yet, due to fragmented oversight, inconsistent design standards, and limited access, these corridors have become degraded and disconnected. Local governments lacked a unified vision and practical tools to promote sustainable development while safeguarding these vital resources. Salt Lake County needed a comprehensive, community-focused plan to coordinate efforts across different jurisdictions and enhance the significance of waterways in shaping the region’s future.

How We Helped

Salt Lake County’s Office of Regional Development, Design Workshop, and LimnoTech led a collaborative planning process—H2Oquirrh—that brought together municipalities, planners, ecologists, and residents to co-create a visionary framework for the region’s waterways.

The plan includes:

  • A design toolkit with adaptable strategies for integrating waterways into urban and natural settings.
  • Policy recommendations to guide land use, stormwater management, and ecological restoration.
  • Community engagement that shaped priorities and built consensus across diverse stakeholders.
  • Vision maps and corridor concepts that illustrate how restored waterways can connect neighborhoods, support wildlife, and enhance recreation.

The H2Oquirrh Vision Plan serves as a bold blueprint for turning underused streams into vibrant community assets. The plan empowers local governments to implement coordinated improvements that reduce environmental risks, enhance quality of life, and build climate resilience. It is a vision to transform fragmented water infrastructure into a shared regional asset, laying the foundation for a healthier, more connected future.

You can learn more about the H2Oquirrh Vision Plan on the Office of Regional Development project page here: https://www.saltlakecounty.gov/regional-development/Canyons-Management/H2Oquirrh/

Resources provided include:

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