List of United States Bureau of Reclamation dams facts for kids

Bureau of Reclamation regions

The Bureau of Reclamation is a special government agency in the United States. It helps manage water in 17 states in the western part of the country. This agency was started in 1902 to build dams and canals. Its main goal is to make sure people have enough water for farming, drinking, and to prevent floods. The Bureau also uses water to create clean electricity.

Today, the Bureau of Reclamation is the biggest seller of water in the U.S. It provides water to over 31 million people. It also helps one out of every five farmers in the West. These farmers use the water for about 10 million acres of land. This land grows a lot of the country's fruits, vegetables, and nuts. The Bureau is also the second-largest producer of hydroelectric power in the western U.S.

A "major dam" is usually at least 50 feet (about 15 meters) tall. It can also hold a lot of water, like 5,000 acre-feet (about 6 million cubic meters). Or it might be any height but hold a huge amount of water, like 25,000 acre-feet (about 30 million cubic meters).

Dams that Help the West

The Bureau of Reclamation owns many dams across the western United States. These dams are super important for managing water. They help store water from rivers and release it when needed. This section lists many of the active dams that the Bureau operates.

Other Important Dams

Folsom Dam releasing water into the American River in California.

Some dams have special stories or are managed differently.

• Anchor Dam, South Fork Owl Creek, Wyoming (This dam cannot be filled with water.)
• Teton Dam, Teton River, Idaho (This dam had a serious problem in the past.)
• Mansfield Dam, Colorado River (Texas), Texas (The Bureau of Reclamation owns only part of this dam.)
• Grand Valley Diversion Dam, Colorado River, Colorado (This dam was once owned by the Bureau but is now managed by others.)

Future Dams and Past Ideas

Sometimes, dams are planned but never built. Here are some projects that were considered. Only the Temperance Flat Dam is still being thought about for the future.

• Ah Pah Dam
• Auburn Dam
• Bridge Canyon Dam
• Echo Park Dam
• Hooker Dam
• Marble Canyon Dam
• Temperance Flat Dam