Lost and found in Deer Creek Reservoir (2 years later)

Deer Creek Reservoir has a maximum depth of about 138 feet. Photo: Deer Creek State Park

DEER CREEK RESERVOIR, Utah. — Two years ago, a Utah resident was ice fishing and he lost his iPhone and carrying case with credit cards, cash, and license. One month ago, a scuba instructor from Colorado found it.

“I usually only go out on the ice once or twice a season with my neighbor,” said Evan Byington to Fox 13 reporter Erin Cox.

The hole in the two-foot thick ice was only big enough for his fishing line and hopefully a fish. Unfortunately, his phone, driver’s license, cash, and credit cards fit through the ice as well. They were resting on his lap until he stood up. Next thing he knew, they were resting under the ice, in the frigid water and gone.

This June, scuba diver Matthew Wesselink, who frequents Deer Creek State Park from Colorado, found Evan’s lost and wet items. “We go there all the time to Utah,” Wesselink said to Cox. Matthew is a scuba diving instructor who takes students into Deer Creek Reservoir quite frequently. They typically find oars, sunglasses, Go-Pros, and miscellaneous items. 

“I canceled my credit card, went in and got a new driver’s license, and got my new card in the mail,” said Byington to Cox.

“There were 56 dollars of cash in there and you could tell it had been there a long time because it was diluted,” said Wesselink to Cox. He took it upon himself to not only search for and locate the rightful owner on Facebook but he also took the waterlogged loot to a bank and exchanged it for crisp new bills. 

In August, Evan and Matthew plan to meet up at the reservoir to return and receive the saturated cell and the dry dollars.