Boysen Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Boysen Reservoir |
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Boysen Reservoir, 2009
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 Boysen Reservoir
Location in Wyoming
Boysen Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | Fremont County, Wyoming, United States |
| Coordinates | 43°25′00″N 108°10′33″W / 43.41667°N 108.17583°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Wind River |
| Primary outflows | Wind River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 4,800 feet (1,463 m) |
| Settlements | Shoshoni |
Boysen Reservoir is a large, human-made lake in central Wyoming, United States. It was created by the Boysen Dam, which is a special type of dam made mostly from earth and rock. This reservoir is located on the Wind River, near the town of Shoshoni.
The Boysen Dam was built between 1947 and 1952. It sits at the entrance of the beautiful Wind River Canyon. Before this dam, a smaller one was built in 1908 by a person named Asmus Boysen. Much of the reservoir and the dam itself are located on the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Contents
Building the Boysen Dam
The current Boysen Dam is much bigger than the old one. It was built to help control the flow of the Wind River. Dams like Boysen help manage water for different uses. They can store water for farms or create electricity.
Why a New Dam?
The original dam was smaller and older. A new, stronger dam was needed to better control the river. This new dam also helped prevent floods in the area. It was a big project that took several years to complete.
Dam Construction Details
The Boysen Dam is an "earth-fill" dam. This means it's made by piling up earth, sand, clay, and rocks. These materials are packed tightly to create a strong barrier. This design is common for large dams.
Railroad Tunnel at Boysen Dam
When the Boysen Dam was built, the water level rose a lot. This flooded an important railroad track. This track connected the cities of Billings, Montana, and Casper, Wyoming. To fix this, a new path for the train was needed.
New Track and Tunnel
Engineers built a new railroad track. It started near the new dam. A long tunnel, about 1.3 miles (2.1 kilometers) long, was dug. This tunnel carried the tracks under the dam. It also went around the edges of the new reservoir. This allowed trains to continue their journey safely.
Boysen State Park Fun
Around the Boysen Reservoir is a fun place called Boysen State Park. The state of Wyoming manages this park. It's a popular spot for outdoor activities. Many families and friends visit the park each year.
Camping and Outdoor Activities
Boysen State Park has 11 different campgrounds. These are spread out around the reservoir and nearby areas. You can set up a tent or park an RV. It's a great place to spend time outdoors. People enjoy hiking, picnicking, and watching wildlife.
Fishing and Boating Adventures
The reservoir is a favorite place for fishing. It's home to many kinds of fish. You can catch walleye, perch, crappie, and channel catfish. There are also rainbow and brown trout. Many other fish species live here too.
The Boysen Marina is located on the northeast side of the reservoir. It's a handy spot for boaters. The marina has a bait shop if you need fishing supplies. There's also a cafe where you can grab a bite to eat. You can even rent boats and jet skis there for fun on the water.
