Pilot Butte Dam facts for kids
Pilot Butte Dam is a special wall built across a river in Fremont County, Wyoming. It helps control water and store it for many uses. This dam creates a large lake called Pilot Butte Reservoir.
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What is Pilot Butte Dam?
Pilot Butte Dam is a type of dam called an earthen dam. This means it is made mostly of earth, rock, and clay. It was built a long time ago, in 1926. The dam stands about 64 feet (19.5 meters) tall. It is also about 55 feet (16.8 meters) long at its top.
Who Built and Manages the Dam?
The dam was built by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. This is a government agency that manages water resources. They still own the dam today. A local group called the Midvale Irrigation District helps to operate it.
Why Was the Dam Built?
Pilot Butte Dam has two main jobs. First, it helps with flood control. This means it can hold back extra water during heavy rains. This stops floods from damaging towns and farms. Second, it stores water for irrigation. Irrigation is how farmers get water to their crops. The dam is part of a bigger plan called the Pick–Sloan Missouri Basin Program. This program helps manage water across a very large area.
Pilot Butte Reservoir: A Fun Lake
The dam creates a big lake called Pilot Butte Reservoir. This lake is about 1.4 square miles (3.6 square kilometers) in size. It can hold a lot of water, up to 36,900 acre-feet. An acre-foot is enough water to cover one acre of land with water one foot deep.
Activities at the Reservoir
Pilot Butte Reservoir is a great place for outdoor fun. Many people enjoy fishing here. You can catch fish like trout, ling, and crappie. Other popular activities include hunting, boating, camping, and hiking. It's a wonderful spot to enjoy nature.
