[6] Before European-American colonization, Ute Indians called the river Timpanoquint, meaning "water running over rocks.

[10]: 114  Between 40 and 100 Native American people were killed in the attack or executed as prisoners,[13] and over 40 Timpanogos children, women, and a few men were taken and sold as slaves to Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley.

Several key species such as the Warbling Vireo, bald eagle, spotted frog, stonefly, and brown trout inhabit the river ecosystem.

Endangered species: The June Sucker, endemic to the Utah Lake watershed, was abundant when first documented in the 19th century.

Non-native species, including common carp, white bass, walleye, and black bullhead, were introduced to Utah Lake to provide a food source.

Between overfishing, competition, and predation of non-native species, the native June Sucker population has been reduced from over a million to under 1,000.

[22] There is a wide variety of soil taxonomic classes present on the banks of the Provo River and beneath its flowing waters.

There are also isolated pockets of Peteetneet and the presence of the Provo-Sunset complex along the bank within a 16,000 feet (4,900 m) latitudinal range of the river mouth.

The project provided a protected 800 to 2,200 feet (240 to 670 m) wide corridor along the entire reach of the restored middle Provo River for angler access and wildlife habitat.

[27] To accomplish this, the water in the Provo River will be diverted through a new series of artificial channels before entering Utah Lake.

[26] By helping the citizens of Utah Valley enjoy the river, they will be led to have a greater appreciation for this valuable resource.

The initial purpose of the dam was to regulate flow into Deer Creek Reservoir as well as provide water storage during drought.