Collaboration is the key as Uintah County, canal companies, and other parties move forward to form solutions for the Ashley Valley Flood Control plan. An engineering study presented last fall by Sunrise Engineering has provided options and framework for the groups with the study concluding that the biggest current threat to the areas outside Vernal and Naples is from water coming in from outside the valley including Ashley Creek, Yellow Hills and Asphalt Ridge. While the factors are vast and vary from area to area in the Ashley Valley, progress in the form of agreements is being made. “Uintah County is continuing its partnering with irrigation canal companies to develop flood control while at the same time providing irrigation opportunities and keeping canals green,” explains Uintah County Commissioner Bill Stringer. “Where we are today is working on separate deals between entities.” While the process has been long and collaboration efforts complicated, Stringer says proposed agreements are not only coming together but the solutions being formed are providing real benefits to the parties involved and citizens of Uintah County.
