This was first published August 31, 2015.
For any Wyoming history buffs out there… Here are two photos I found interesting.
Boysen Dam is south of Thermopolis, Wyoming. Construction began in 1946. It is a rockfill dam, eventually reaching a height of 220′ and length of 1,143′. The crest of the dam is 30′ wide, but the base is over 900′! That’s pretty impressive.
I’ve driven past here a zillion times.
At the mouth of Wind River Canyon, Boysen is responsible for hydroelectric power and irrigation. It’s a quick insight into how much snowpack this part of Wyoming has received.
I’ve fished below the dam, and played in the water above the dam.
It’s also why I think these are cool photos.
Taken May 22, 1950, Fred and Dora Greet watch the progress of Boysen Dam’s construction. How fascinating that must have been to have a bird’s eye view!
****
I can’t help but remember my dad’s fascination with the dam and the river… but most of all… his grins about riding the trains through the canyon. My dad as a youngster would often hop trains in rural Oklahoma, just for kicks, and for real transportation as well. In Wind River Canyon, the highway is on the east side of the river, just wide enough for the highway in most parts and the train tracks are on the west side of the river, squeaking through tunnels and narrow ledges. My dad noticed that as you approached Boysen Dam, the train tracks *disappear*. Finally, down the road, the train reemerges from its tunnel… and my dad always thought it’d be great to hitch a ride and go through that tunnel!!! Well, tonight I finally researched that and found the tunnel is 7,131′ long. That would be a long dark trip, but if I ever get a chance, I’ll take that train trip under Boysen Dam!
Find me here!
