This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah Lake is squeezing out the festival honoring it this year.
The Utah Lake Commission has canceled the Utah Lake Festival, scheduled for June 4, because of rising lake levels that have flooded parking areas at Utah Lake Park.
"We considered having [the festival], but we could accommodate a lot fewer people," said Reed Price, the commission's executive director. Plus, Price said the flooded areas were a safety hazard for small children who might be tempted to play in the water.
The wet spring weather has raised the lake level, as greater-than-normal mountain snowpack melts and sends torrents of water into the lake.
The festival was originally sponsored by the state's June Sucker restoration program. The festival showcases the lake and the fish, along with food and entertainment.
Michael Mills, the state's June sucker recovery coordinator, said the changing water levels isn't affecting the suckers, which are named for their June spawning run. More water coming through the river is good for the fish, he said.
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