Daybreak is much more than the most desirable residential area in South Jordan, Utah. It’s a vibrant community that offers entertainment, employment, shopping, education, real estate investment and recreation. At the heart of this development is Oquirrh Lake, which itself provides a wide range of recreational opportunities for Daybreak residents.
Oquirrh Lake is a main recreational point for Daybreak residents. The man-made lake is 67 acres in size and was created as an integral part of the neighborhood from the outset of the Daybreak community. Surrounded by 70 acres of beaches, picnic areas, wetlands, parks and trails, it’s a recreational focal point of Daybreak and a key feature that adds to the value of the residential and commercial real estate of the community.
Oquirrh Lake is named for the Oquirrh Mountains that lie to the west of the Salt Lake Valley. The word “oquirrh” comes from a Goshute Native American word that means “wood sitting.” In the middle of the lake is a large island.
The Daybreak communities of Founders Park, Eastlake, North Shore, Creekside, Lake and Garden Park Village immediately surround the shores of the lake.
In the future, plans are in place for a new village that will be built in the middle of the lake.
A jewel of a park
Although no swimming is allowed in Oquirrh Lake because of the fragility of the ecosystem, there are four sandy beaches on its shores. Eastlake Park on the lake edge has the most popular beach as well as a basketball court and a large playground for kids.
North Shore Beach park has a large open and grassy area used to hold events.
Boating
Only Daybreak community residents and their guests are allowed to boat on Oquirrh Lake. They can check out canoes, kayaks, row boats and other watercraft at the boat ramp at the southern end of the lake. Daybreak residents can also use their own non-motorized watercraft with a permit.
Fishing
Oquirrh Lake is stocked with several species of fish for anglers including trout, bluegill, large-mouth bass and catfish. Residents who have a valid Utah state fishing license can fish in designated areas.
Wildlife
In addition to the fish in the water, the wetlands and park areas around Oquirrh Lake host migratory birds as well as permanent species of waterfowl. Cattails and tall grasses help maintain the natural habitat. A recent survey found the lake's wetland bird population has nearly 2.5 times more species diversity than the national average.
Surrounding trails
The 70 acres of parkland surrounding Oquirrh Lake include a main trail that’s about 2.2 miles long. There are foot bridges onto the island at the south and east sides of the lake. The bridges lead onto another trail around the island and add another 1.25 miles of hiking or running for those who want it.
If you want a more ambitious and adventurous hike or run, you can take a trail from the southern end of the lake that goes under 11400 South. Then travel toward 4000 West Street. You'll add 3 miles with hills and great views—and a real workout.
There’s no official trailhead, but there is plenty of free parking.
Environmental benefits
In addition to providing recreational benefits, Oquirrh Lake offers important practical benefits to the community. It is crucial to the maintenance of real estate values in Daybreak and surrounding communities.
For example, the lake retains all of the storm water that falls on the community, and it can hold all of the rainwater that would fall in a 100-year storm without over-spilling into municipal storm sewers.
An innovative drip irrigation system saves about 1.5 million gallons of potable water every year, saving taxpayers about $54,000 per year.
Get to know your lake
Choosing a community to live in is much more than calculating real estate values. Daybreak Living is desirable for many reasons, and Oquirrh Lake is one of them. Get to know the jewel of some of the most desirable real estate in South Jordan Utah.
Utah Dave - Daybreak Neighboorhood Expert and Local Resident