Hiker reminds group: No dogs permitted in watershed canyons

SALT LAKE CITY — Officials don’t allow dogs in Big and Little Cottonwood canyons. This is because the canyons are watersheds for the Salt Lake Valley.

But not every dog owner knows this.

Dog waste can contaminate the creeks, streams and lakes of watershed canyons and the toxins can be deadly for people and wild animals.

One hiker spoke with KSL NewsRadio and shared her interaction with dogs and their owners in Big Cottonwood Canyon over the weekend.

The hiker, who says she’s a dog owner and wishes to remain anonymous, was hiking when she said she heard dogs barking. She said she followed the sound and found five people with four dogs.

Dogs are not allowed in the Cottonwood canyons

She informed them that dogs aren’t allowed in Big Cottonwood Canyon. They are especially not welcome in the water because the canyon is part of the watershed.

Most of the people were nice but embarrassed about being caught. She later ran into a sheriff’s deputy and relayed the story to him.

“I would have fined them,” the deputy reportedly told her. “Well $700 a pop,” the deputy reportedly told her.

 She also told them they can’t swim in canyon lakes. She laments that the problem seems to be growing.

The hiker said she also finds people swimming in the canyon’s lakes, which is against the law, too. 

If you are caught swimming in a lake or hiking with a dog in one of the watershed canyons in the county, you could be subject to a Class B misdemeanor and a $650 fine for first-time offenders.

For a subsequent violation, the offender could face a Class A misdemeanor and up to a year in jail. 

Dogs are also not allowed in Bell Canyon Creek and tributaries and Parley’s Canyon

See the full list watersheds in Salt Lake County where no dogs are allowed but also where dogs are welcome.

Related: Bill that would allow dogs in some Utah canyons if it passes