Man found dead in Jordanelle Reservoir after multi-agency search

A multi-agency search at Jordanelle Reservoir ended with a man found dead in the water, after crews used boats and drones to search the state park under freezing spring conditions.

The emergency was reported around 7:45 a.m. Monday, April 13, 2026, and the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office led the response. The Wasatch County 911 Center took the initial call, and the effort brought in multiple agencies, including Utah State Parks and the Utah Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division. First responders worked on and above the reservoir as the search unfolded at Jordanelle State Park.

Officials said there were no signs of foul play and that the death appeared accidental. They have not released the man’s identity, pending notification of next of kin. The limited information left several questions unanswered as the response continued, but authorities were clear that the incident was being treated as a water-related emergency rather than a criminal investigation.

Jordanelle Reservoir is a major recreation site for Summit County and the surrounding region, but it is also part of the local water system. Fed by the Provo River, Jordanelle, along with Deer Creek Reservoir, helps provide culinary water to users in Wasatch, Utah, and Salt Lake counties. That combination of recreation and water supply makes incidents there draw immediate attention from public-safety agencies across the region.

The timing of the emergency also came during a cold-weather period when rescue work on open water can be especially difficult. County officials have repeatedly urged recreators to use proper safety equipment, stay aware of changing weather and water conditions, and avoid going out alone when possible.

The response at Jordanelle showed how quickly a recreational outing can become a large public-safety operation, with local and state agencies converging on one of the region’s most visible reservoirs.