The high years for Utah County were back in 2001, when there was 56,000 acres of grasshoppers and in 2004 when there was 124,000 acres of crickets.

Green little vaulter, in the sunny grass, Catching your heart up at the feel of June, Sole noise that's heard amidst the lazy noon, When ev'n the bees lag at the summoning brass.

Happy insect! what can be In happiness compared to thee? Fed with nourishment divine, The dewy morning's gentle wine! Nature waits upon thee still, And thy verdant cup does fill; 'Tis fill'd wherever thou dost tread, Nature's self's thy Ganymede.

When all the birds are faint with the hot sun, And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead; That is the grasshopper's--he takes the lead In summer luxury--he has never done With his delights, for when tired out with fun, He rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed.

The county is experiencing some growing pains. We've been getting a lot more lots that are smaller [than five acres] and a lot more people are looking at the approval process [for sewage systems].

On Sept. 8, I opened the gates and drained it for 45 days. We got it down to three acres of surface water.