Alcova in Natrona County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Pathfinder Dam Construction
Pathfinder Dam was built between 1905 and 1909 and cost over two million dollars. It is located in a narrow canyon cut by the North Platte River through Precambrian basement rocks. It is a masonry arch structure built entirely of huge blocks quarried from the same Precambrian formations. The task of cutting, transporting and fitting the massive blocks severely tested the engineering skills of the day. Pathfinder Dam stands as a civil engineering landmark.
Pathfinder Dam stands 214 feet high and measures 432 feet across its crest. The Reservoir behind it holds over a million acre-feet (an acre of water a foot deep), creating a water sports area in the high, dry central Wyoming desert. Other dams named Seminoe, Kortes, Alcova, Grey Reef, Glendo and Guernsey would follow to further control and utilize waters from the North Platter waters.
Pathfinder Dam was named to honor General John C. Fremont, the “Pathfinder of the West.” Returning from an 1842 mapping expedition to the Rocky Mountains, Fremont attempted to float through the raging white water canyons of the North Platte near this point. He didn’t succeed and was lucky to escape with his life. Most of his priceless records were lost. Pathfinder Dam was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
Erected by Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.
Location. 42° 33.924′ N, 106° 43.134′ W. Marker is in Alcova, Wyoming, in Natrona County. Marker is on State Highway 220 near Grey Reef Road (County Route 412), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alcova WY 82620, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Alcova Reservoir (approx. 4.2 miles away); Fremont Canyon (approx. 7.6 miles away); Fremont Canyon Power Plant (approx. 7.6 miles away); Lure of the West (approx. 8 miles away); Marking Their Progress (approx. 8 miles away); And On the Horizon... (approx. 8.1 miles away); A Look Back (approx. 8.1 miles away); Willow Springs (approx. 8.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alcova.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 410 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 1, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.