List of largest reservoirs in Wyoming Facts for Kids

Wyoming is a state in the western United States. It is known for its wide-open spaces and beautiful mountains. But it is also a very dry state. Because of this, water is super important!

To make sure there's enough water for everyone and everything, Wyoming has built many reservoirs. A reservoir is like a giant, man-made lake. It stores water from rivers. This water can then be used for many things. It helps farmers grow crops, provides drinking water for cities, and even creates electricity!

Wyoming has fourteen very large reservoirs. Each one can hold at least 40,000 acre-feet of water when full. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land with water one foot deep. That's a lot of water! Together, these reservoirs can hold over 10 million acre-feet of water.

The North Platte River is especially important for water storage in Wyoming. It has five of the state's largest reservoirs built along its path. This shows how vital this river is for the state's water supply.

What is a Reservoir?
Why are Reservoirs Important in Wyoming?
The Biggest Reservoirs in Wyoming
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What is a Reservoir?

A reservoir is a place where water is collected and stored. Most reservoirs are created by building a large dam across a river. The dam holds back the river's flow, causing a huge lake to form behind it. This lake is the reservoir.

Some reservoirs are also enhanced natural lakes. This means a dam was built at the outlet of an existing lake. This helps to control the lake's water level and store even more water. Jackson Lake is a good example of this type of reservoir.

Why are Reservoirs Important in Wyoming?

Wyoming gets less rainfall than many other states. So, storing water is very important. Reservoirs help in many ways:

Farming: Water from reservoirs is sent through canals to irrigate farms. This helps grow crops like hay and sugar beets.
Drinking Water: Cities and towns use reservoir water for people to drink and use in their homes.
Electricity: Some dams have power plants that use the force of falling water to create electricity. This is called hydroelectric power.
Recreation: Reservoirs are also popular places for fun activities. People enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, and camping at these large lakes.

The Biggest Reservoirs in Wyoming

Wyoming has some truly massive reservoirs. Here are a few of the largest and most interesting ones:

Flaming Gorge Reservoir

Flaming Gorge Reservoir from above.

The Flaming Gorge Reservoir is the largest reservoir in Wyoming. It is so big that it actually stretches into another state, Utah! This reservoir holds over 3.7 million acre-feet of water. It was created by the Flaming Gorge Dam on the Green River. The reservoir is famous for its deep blue water and amazing red rock canyons. It is a popular spot for fishing and boating.

Pathfinder Reservoir

Pathfinder Reservoir in Wyoming.

The Pathfinder Reservoir is the second largest in Wyoming. It can hold about 1.07 million acre-feet of water. This reservoir is located on the North Platte River. It was built with the Pathfinder Dam. The name "Pathfinder" comes from the famous explorer John C. Frémont. He explored the area in the 1840s.

Seminoe Reservoir

Seminoe Dam and Reservoir.

Just a bit smaller than Pathfinder is the Seminoe Reservoir. It holds over 1 million acre-feet of water. Like Pathfinder, it is also on the North Platte River. The Seminoe Dam created this reservoir. The area around Seminoe Reservoir is known for its rugged beauty and wildlife.

Jackson Lake

Jackson Lake with the Teton Mountains in the background.

Jackson Lake is unique because it is an enhanced natural lake. It is located in Grand Teton National Park. This beautiful lake is fed by the Snake River. A dam was built at its outlet to help control its water levels. Jackson Lake holds about 847,000 acre-feet of water. It offers stunning views of the Teton Range mountains.

Glendo Reservoir

Glendo Reservoir with Laramie Peak in the distance.

The Glendo Reservoir is another large reservoir on the North Platte River. It can hold over 763,000 acre-feet of water. This reservoir is a very popular place for outdoor activities. People enjoy camping, fishing, and water sports here.