Meeks Cabin Dam facts for kids

The Meeks Cabin Dam is a large structure built on the Blacks Fork river. This river is a branch of the Green River. The dam is located in Uinta County, in southwestern Wyoming. Its main job is to hold back water, creating the Meeks Cabin Reservoir. Most of this reservoir is in Wyoming, but a small part stretches into Utah.

Building the Meeks Cabin Dam

This dam is made of earth, like a big hill of dirt and rocks. It was built between 1966 and 1971. The United States Bureau of Reclamation constructed it. This government agency helps manage water resources.

The dam stands about 185 feet tall, which is like a 15-story building. It is also very long, stretching 3,162 feet across the river. The main reason for building the dam was to store water for irrigation. This means the water is used to help farmers grow crops.

The Bureau of Reclamation still owns the dam. It is part of a bigger plan called the Lyman Project. The Bridger Valley Water Conservancy District helps to operate the dam. They make sure the water is managed properly.

Meeks Cabin Reservoir: A Place for Fun

The Meeks Cabin Reservoir is the lake formed by the dam. It covers an area of 470 acres. That's about the size of 350 football fields! The reservoir can hold a lot of water, up to 32,470 acre-feet. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land with water one foot deep.

This reservoir is a great spot for outdoor activities. People enjoy fishing here, especially for cutthroat trout and whitefish. You can also go camping, hiking, and hunting nearby. Boating is another popular activity on the water.

The reservoir is located inside the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. This means it is managed by the United States Forest Service. They help protect the natural environment and make sure people can enjoy it safely.