KSL INVESTIGATES

Boaters say fees going up, quality going down at Pineview Reservoir

Jul 26, 2021, 10:07 PM | Updated: Feb 7, 2023, 3:39 pm

HUNTSVILLE, Utah – Pineview Reservoir is one of the most popular destinations for boaters in Utah, but many boaters complain of rising rates with nothing to show for it. The KSL Investigators got an up-close look at all the problems and found out how your money is being spent.

Clark Bailey and Nick Granato go to Pineview primarily to fish for Tiger Muskie. But while the ever-elusive fish lurk beneath the surface, boaters face other challenges on-shore.

“It’s frustrating,” said Bailey.

“From start to finish, you have issues,” said Granato.

Those issues, they said, are specifically at Port Ramp, the main boat launch at Pineview Reservoir. Boaters complain there are lots of problems – like a sidewalk that’s falling apart, a dock system that’s sub-par and concrete cinderblocks submerged in the water.

Boaters complain there are lots of problems like a sidewalk that’s falling apart and concrete cinderblocks submerged in the water. (KSL-TV) Boaters complain there are lots of problems like a sidewalk that’s falling apart and concrete cinderblocks submerged in the water. (KSL-TV)

“It’s kind of a ticking time bomb,” said Granato. “You can damage your prop. You can damage your boat. You could potentially damage your trailer.”

One of the biggest issues of all, boaters said, is the ramp itself. They said it’s rutted out and worn down.

“It really violently vibrates your equipment as you’re going in and out,” said Bailey. “I’ve heard of people breaking axels on here.”

On top of all that, the price of admission has been going up. Two years ago, an annual launch pass for Pineview was $150. Last year, it was $175 and this year, it’s $197.

“I think the consensus is, if they’re going to require $197 for an annual launch pass, then they just need to justify that,” said Bailey.

One more thing: That $197 annual fee is double what you’d pay at Bear Lake, Flaming Gorge and Jordanelle. The difference is those are state-run and Pineview is federal.

The KSL Investigators took those concerns to the Forest Service.

“I know the expectations and everything else. We’re working on this as fast as we can,” said Sean Harwood, the district ranger who oversees Pineview. “You can’t fix things overnight.”

Harwood said in January 2019, the Forest Service hired a management company, Utah Recreation Company, to oversee operations at Pineview Reservoir. URC sets the fees.

But where are the fees going?

The KSL Investigators asked the Forest Service for the records. They couldn’t produce them because URC doesn’t provide the government with a breakdown. However, Harwood said the money goes towards operation, maintenance and projects.

“We’ve got big plans and URC is a huge part of them,” said Harwood.

The two other launch sites at Pineview have seen improvements. Cemetery Point’s boat ramp was repaired this season and Anderson Cove got new restrooms. But nothing at Port Ramp.

“So, we see some improvements, just not here,” said Bailey.

Bailey and Granato believe improvements are being made at the other sites because they bring in added money through watercraft rentals at Cemetery Point and new glamping tents at Anderson Cove.

New glamping tents at Anderson Cove. (KSL-TV)

Harwood said that’s not true.

“No, absolutely not,” he said.

Instead, he said the issues date back to a different management company.

“For the last 20 years, we’ve put band aids on things,” said Harwood. “We’re going to get it done, but it’s going to take some time.”

Harwood said Port Ramp will get a new dock next spring. While they’re at it, they’ll also clean up all those cinder blocks. But no word yet about any improvements to the most-used ramp at Pineview.

“I would say, ‘Hold on, it’s coming,’” said Harwood.

It’s a promise Bailey and Granato hope the Forest Service can keep.

“We’re hoping something can change and things can be improved,” said Bailey.

The Forest Service believes Utah Recreation Company has done a good job over the past three years, but again, there’s a lot to catch up on.

They also have millions of dollars in federal grant money coming and say that will help them make a lot of improvements to Pineview over the next five to 10 years.

Have you experienced something you think just isn’t right? The KSL Investigators want to help. Submit your tip at investigates@ksl.com or 385-707-6153 so we can get working for you.

KSL 5 TV Live

KSL Investigates

Matt Luers says the "No Soliciting" sign at his Sandy home is hard to miss, but solicitors continue...

Matt Gephardt & Sloan Schrage

What are the rules & your rights when ‘No Soliciting’ signs don’t keep salespeople at bay?

While many Utahns put up signs to keep solicitors from knocking on their doors, a man in Sandy says the knocks keep coming. He decided to Get Gephardt, who explores what those signs really mean.

11 months ago

Car driving...

Matt Gephardt

How you can lower your car insurance costs even as rates continue to climb

It would be a good time to double check with your insurance agent and make sure you are getting all the discounts available to you. Auto insurance rates are catching up with the costs of, well, everything that has gone up thanks to inflation.

11 months ago

For months, the KSL Investigators have examined why only a small fraction of reported sexual assaul...

Daniella Rivera and Keira Farrimond

The challenge of consent: Utah’s rape law & low prosecution rate

“Listen up,” Rayley Wadsworth pleaded with social media users in a video filmed inside a stationary car last month. “If you’re in Utah, or a woman in Utah, please listen for just a second.”

11 months ago

(KSL TV)...

Matt Gephardt and Cindy St. Clair

Layton woman struggles to claim money owed to her from her dissolved business

Utah's Unclaimed Property Division has millions of dollars that it wants to reconnect with the rightful owner. But for a Layton woman, getting her money back has been easier said than done. So she decided it was time to Get Gephardt.

11 months ago

Hopes that were lost as part of a land collapse. (KSL TV/Chopper 5)...

Mike Headrick and Cindy St. Clair

Draper City: Building laws make it hard to say ‘no’ to risky development

The question was posed to KSL Investigators — how could Draper City allow development on hazardous land? It turns out, saying “no” is a difficult option.

11 months ago

(KSL TV)...

Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage

Get Gephardt helps Utahn get refund for not-delivered TV

If you pay hundreds of dollars for a new TV, you expect to GET the TV. But when a West Jordan woman couldn't get her TV or a refund, it was time to Get Gephardt.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Stack of old laptops with dark background...

PC Laptops

Old Laptop Upgrades You Need to Try Before Throwing it Away

Get the most out of your investment. Try these old laptop upgrades before throwing it out to keep it running fast and efficient.

Happy diverse college or university students are having fun on their graduation day...

BYU MBA at the Marriott School of Business

How to Choose What MBA Program is Right for You: Take this Quiz Before You Apply!

Wondering what MBA program is right for you? Take this quiz before you apply to see if it will help you meet your goals.

Close up of an offset printing machine during production...

Les Olson IT

Top 7 Reasons to Add a Production Printer to Your Business

Learn about the different digital production printers and how they can help your company save time and money.

vintage photo of lighting showroom featuring chandeliers, lamps, wall lights and mirrors...

Lighting Design

History of Lighting Design | Over 25 Years of Providing Utah With the Latest Trends and Styles

Read about the history of Lighting Design, a family-owned and operated business that paved the way for the lighting industry in Utah.

Fiber Optical cables connected to an optic ports and Network cables connected to ethernet ports...

Brian Huston, CE and Anthony Perkins, BICSI

Why Every Business Needs a Structured Cabling System

A structured cabling system benefits businesses by giving you faster processing speeds and making your network more efficient and reliable.

notebook with password notes highlighted...

PC Laptops

How to Create Strong Passwords You Can Actually Remember

Learn how you can create strong passwords that are actually easy to remember! In a short time you can create new ones in seconds.

Boaters say fees going up, quality going down at Pineview Reservoir