
One year ago, we stood near the banks of an overgrown, polluted Ogden River, in a groundbreaking ceremony that symbolically began the process of cleanup and restoration for Ogden’s main waterway. We could not have imagined what lay ahead of us.

In some places, the channel had been filled in with rocks, dirt and debris to artificially extend one’s usable property. Garbage, old tires, concrete, scrap metal and wrecked cars had been carelessly dumped into the river in other places. All of these contributed to a narrow, constricted and overgrown waterway, which most people tended to avoid rather than visit.
As plans for redevelopment around the Ogden River area started to emerge and take shape, we realized that this was our single best opportunity to rehabilitate the river and correct decades of neglect and abuse. Ogden City partnered with River Restoration.org and plans were drawn up to open up the river channel and create a healthy riparian habitat for plant, animal and aquatic life alike. Funding for this ambitious project has come from a variety of sources, including contributions from local government agencies, bonds and federal stimulus funds.
As the initial cleanup began, botanists targeted non-native and invasive tree and plant species for removal, while heavy equipment proceeded to remove natural and man-made debris from the river channel. To date, more than 2,400 tons of concrete and scrap metal, 3,800 cubic yards of litter and over 2,000 tires have been removed from the river and its banks.

When completed later this fall, this newly restored section of the Ogden River will be the centerpiece of our renewal efforts in the downtown area, providing scenic view areas, fishing spots, a high-adventure park, and a rebuilt pedestrian walk and bicycle path.
We invite you to come and visit the river, and see the remarkable changes that are taking place! The portion of the river between Washington Boulevard and Wall Avenue is nearly complete, and the river walk is accessible from Washington Boulevard, Grant Avenue, Lincoln Avenue and Wall Avenue. Parking is generally permitted along city streets unless otherwise indicated.

