The drowning at Blackridge Reservoir last August, the third at the popular city amenity according to city staff, drove further discussion among the Herriman City Council and city staff to find helpful safety solutions. 

After initial talks at a work meeting in November, city staff returned with various safety options for the council to consider in January, with new modular signage and simple buoys to mark the drop off area as two methods chosen by the council. 

The reservoir’s deepest point, according to staff, is 19 feet when full, which slowly slopes to the bottom. Placing buoys at points where the slope drops off. 

Staff presented various options including the signage, a swimming boundary area rope, larger buoys, smaller ring buoys and life jacket loaner program. 

Increased modular signage seemed to be the most-liked option of the council, it offers a seasonal approach with different warning signs for algae bloom or to stay off the ice. 

The boundary rope, larger buoys and life jackets would send the wrong message, said Councilmember Jared Henderson. He reiterated his long-standing position that swimming should not be allowed.

During the discussion, he repeatedly emphasized what he felt was the best approach. “Less is more effective,” he said. 

“The more we put in there, to me, the more it feels like a swimming pool, which is the problem we have.” 

Council and staff weighed the balance of safety measures while keeping the popular reservoir an option. 

Councilmember Terrah Anderson expressed reservations in November about restricting paddle boarding or other water sports. 

She suggested a simple sign of “swim at your own risk.”

“There’s a really big element of personal responsibility,” she said. “It doesn’t look like a swimming pool to me. Anywhere you go — whether it’s Utah Lake, Tibble Fork or Deer Creek — you’re responsible for yourself.”

Henderson, who said he didn’t wish to close the reservoir, added there’s only so much they could do. 

“You can’t force people to make good decisions,” he said.