Deep, cold waters the reason behind a different life jacket law at Causey Reservoir

OGDEN — As temperatures reached into record highs Thursday, dozens of cars filled the parking lots and side of the road. Many of the people, looking for the slightly cooler temperatures in the mountains around Causey Reservoir.

Related: Salt Lake’s high of 103 breaks record set in 1940, fire warnings and heat advisories continue

But as people head into the waters on kayaks and paddleboards, Weber County Deputies warn that life jacket laws around the reservoir are different than those at most around Utah.

“Causey reservoir is a little bit different,” Lt. Mark Horton explained. “It’s (a) higher altitude. It’s also 180 feet to the bottom. It’s extremely difficult if somebody drowns in Causey to recover them. And so that’s why that law is there.”

At other reservoirs, people 13 and up are required to have a lifejacket with them while on a watercraft. Children 12 and under are required to wear them. At Causey however, everyone is required to wear one. Horton said if people are caught not following that law, they will be asked to leave.

“The most common answer we hear is, ‘well, it’s in my car.’ Well, it’s really not going to save you if it’s in the car,” Horton said.

Not only is Causey deep around the center, the water remains cold; even around 30 degrees in July. Horton said those depths are unsafe for divers, and the lower temperatures tend to slow decomposition of bodies, keeping them down below, potentially for years.