Guernsey Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guernsey Dam |
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 Location of Guernsey Dam in Wyoming
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| Location | Platte County, Wyoming, USA |
| Coordinates | 42°17′25″N 104°45′49″W / 42.290167°N 104.763737°W |
| Construction began | 1925 |
| Opening date | 1928 |
| Operator(s) | U.S. Bureau of Reclamation |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | North Platte River |
| Height | 135 feet (41 m) |
| Length | 560 feet (170 m) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Guernsey Reservoir |
The Guernsey Dam is a special kind of dam built mostly from earth and rock. You can find it on the North Platte River in Platte County, Wyoming, in the United States. This dam creates a large lake called Guernsey Reservoir. It's the very last of five big reservoirs on the North Platte River in Wyoming.
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What Does Guernsey Dam Do?
Guernsey Dam is very important for the area. It has a power plant that uses water to make electricity. This plant can produce enough power for many homes. The reservoir behind the dam can hold a huge amount of water. Most of this water is used to help farmers water their fields.
Building This Big Dam
Building the Guernsey Dam was a big job! Two companies, Morrison-Knudsen and Utah Construction Company, worked together to build it. They also built the power plant. Construction started in 1925 and the dam was finished in 1928. It was all part of a larger plan called the North Platte Project. This project aimed to bring water for farming to eastern Wyoming and western Nebraska.
How the Dam Helps Farmers
Guernsey Dam helps control the flow of the river. It also stores water that comes from another large reservoir upstream, called Pathfinder Reservoir. A few miles downstream from Guernsey Dam, there's another dam called Whalen Diversion Dam. This dam sends water into two important canals, the Fort Laramie Canal and the Interstate Canal. These canals carry water to many farms in Wyoming and Nebraska, helping them grow crops.
Fun Around the Dam
The area around Guernsey Reservoir is a beautiful place! It is surrounded by Guernsey State Park. This park offers many fun activities for visitors. You can go fishing, boating, or just enjoy nature. It's a great spot for families to spend time outdoors.
