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Loa • Fremont • Lyman • Bicknell • Teasdale • Torrey • Grover • Fruita • Caineville • Hanksville Panguitch • Panguitch Lake • Hatch • Antimony • Bryce • Tropic • Henrieville • Cannonville • Escalante • Boulder
Corner Post Media, P.O. Box 105, Escalante, UT 84726
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Garfield County Commission by Peg Smith
Situation at Tropic Reservoir Uncertain ‘Napkin Agreement’ with Otter Creek Reservoir Company No Longer Holds Water by Jaynie Connor
Dec. 22, 2025 GARFIELD CO. Garfield County Commissioners met in special session December 22 to approve the wildland-urban interface ordinance and approve sheriff’s business requiring the budget to be opened for adjustment. The Insider had incorrectly reported in its December 25 issue that the Commission had both discussed and approved the ordinance at their December 15 meeting. Public Works Director Dave Dodds read through Ordinance 2025-4, which adopts the Utah Wildland Urban Interface Code and official risk maps published by the Utah Division of Forestry Fire and State Lands (FFSL). Its purpose is to “reduce the risk of loss of life and property from wildland fire within Garfield County; to comply with House Bill 48 and the 2025 Utah legislative Garfield Commission Cont'd on B5
US Forest Service
The beginning of construction at the Pine Valley dam. The Pine Valley Reservoir dam is currently being reconstructed to meet current state standards. the area has experienced some storms, with flooding and debris flows that have caused damage to the Pine Valley Recreation Area. The Pine Valley Recreation Area and campground will be closed at least through the 2026 season for public safety and rehabilitation work. Rehabilitation work includes emergency stabiliRestoration Update Cont'd on B3
REGIONAL WEATHER FORECAST
cial role in the region’s agricultural and recreational landscape. Situated on the East Fork of the Sevier River, the reservoir was originally established to sup-
Measles Symptoms? SWUPHD Urges Residents to Call First SW UTAH - The Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD) is urging residents to call healthcare providers and hospitals before showing up in person if they think they might have the measles. The district (including Washington, Iron, Beaver, Kane, and Garfield counties) has now seen over one hundred cases of measles since August of this year. “Measles is a very contagious airborne disease,” says Dr. David Blodgett, SWUPHD Director and Health Officer. “If Measles Cases Cont'd on B4
ply irrigation water to the communities of Tropic and Bryce Valley, and it continues to serve that purpose today. Sitting at nearly 8,000 feet in elevation, Tropic
by Kathryn Chamberlain
Reservoir is surrounded by lush, forested highlands and draws anglers, camp-
WAYNE CO. - The Wayne County Commission met for its regular meeting on December 15, 2025, working through a 55-minute agenda that included event planning, youth workforce support, land-use decisions, and final approval of the county’s 2026 budget and tax rates. The first item of business focused on the Fort Desolation Festival, with organizer Jay Williams outlining plans for the event’s return in September 2026 after taking a year off. Williams said the pause allowed organizers to reassess the festival’s direction and strengthen ties with the local community. Going forward, the team hopes to source more supplies locally, work with area businesses and the high school, and highlight Wayne County’s ranching
Tropic Reservoir
Wayne Commission
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Under an agreement, often referred to as the “Napkin Agreement,” dating back to 1961 between the Tropic & East Fork Irrigation Company (TEFIC) and the Otter Creek Reservoir Company (OCRC), Otter Creek has stored up to 3,000 acre-feet of water in Tropic Reservoir during the winter months. However, the legal right to store this water, technically, expired after the required “proof of use” was never submitted. State engineers have since ruled that only approximately 540 acre-feet can be legally stored, triggering mandatory releases that have left the reservoir at unexpectedly low levels. T R O P I C / B RY C E VALLEY - Tropic Reservoir, located in Garfield County just west of Bryce Canyon National Park, may be small, but it plays a cru-
Wayne County Commission Dec. 15, 2025
Jaynie Connor
Pine Valley Reservoir Dam and Forsyth Fire Restoration Update
DIXIE N.F. - The Dixie National Forest experienced a wildfire started by a lightning strike in the Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness area just above the Forsyth trail in the Pine Valley Ranger District June 19. Extreme fire weather, including high winds and dry conditions, drove the fire to expand across approximately 15,600 acres of private property and Forest Service lands. Since then,
Issue #1648
insiderutah.com
DWR Stocks More Than 11.6 Million Fish Throughout Utah in 2025
Courtesy Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
In an effort to enhance fishing in Utah and boost native fish populations, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources stocks a variety of fish species throughout Utah every year. In 2025, over eleven million fish were stocked into waterbodies across the state. SALT LAKE CITY In an effort to enhance fishing in Utah and boost native fish populations, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources stocks a variety of fish species throughout
Utah every year. In 2025, over eleven million fish were stocked into waterbodies across the state. A whopping 11,660,600 fish—totaling a combined 1.1 million
pounds—were stocked into 655 Utah waterbodies this year. That was a decrease from the 12.8 milFish Stocking Cont'd on B3
UPCOMING EVENTS... Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 19
Valentine's Day
February 14
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THURS. JAN. 1 - WED. JAN. 7
Chances of rain/snow on New Year's Day, and partly cloudy for the rest of the week. Highs in the 40s; lows in the 20s and low 30s. Chance of rain/snow 65%. **Weather is subject to Change
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