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Pathfinder Reservoir

 
 

Pathfinder Dam and Reservoir were constructed as part of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) North Platte Project. One of the first dams built under the 1902 Federal Reclamation Act, Pathfinder Dam is listed as a Wyoming Historic Civil Engineering Landmark and in the National Register of Historic Places. Pathfinder Dam construction began in 1905 and was completed in 1909. The dam contains more than 60,000 cubic yards of masonry and more than 55,000 barrels of cement, all of which were transported overland from Casper, nearly 50 miles away. Construction of the Fremont Canyon Powerplant, which is located downstream of Pathfinder Dam, was completed in 1960. More information regarding Pathfinder Dam and Reservoir is available in the following table.

Summary - Storage Capacities of Pathfinder Reservoir

Permit number Reservoir name Total capacity Outlet capacity Spillway capacity Hydro-electric Power capacity Powerplant release
SEO tab book (acre-feet) (cubic feet per second) (cubic feet per second) generating plant (megawatts) SEO tab book (cubic feet per second)
P609R
Pathfinder Reservoir
1,070,000
2,928 (left abutment) + 50-450 (30" flow gate)
33,940
Fremont Canyon Powerplant
48
2,320

 

 
 

Photos courtesy of USBR.

 

 
 


The Platte River Basin Plan is a planning tool developed for the Wyoming Water Development Office. It presents estimated current and estimated future uses of water in WyomingÆs Platte River Basin. The Plan is not used to determine compliance with or administration of state law, federal law, court decrees, interstate compacts, or interstate agreements.
Wyoming Water Development Commission
6920 Yellowtail Road
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002
Ph. (307) 777-7626
Fax (307) 777-6819