Cody in Park County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Ball Plug

— Buffalo Bill Dam —

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 14, 2017

1. Ball Plug Marker

Inscription. Ball Plug This large wood and concrete ball plug was one of two used to halt the flow of water through the 42-inch diameter power outlet works conduits, located in the base of the dam. The balls facilitated the repair and maintenance of downstream machinery and equipment. In order to access the submerged conduit openings on the upstream face of the dam, trash rack structures first had to be removed by divers and raised to the surface by a cableway winch. Then, assisted by divers, the ball plugs were lowered by the cableway winch into position, where water pressure forced the balls against the conduit openings, sealing off the flow of water. The construction of the ball plugs utilizing a combination of wood and concrete provided strength and also allowed easy maneuverability under water.

Two new ball plugs were obtained during the Buffalo Bill Dam modification project of (1985-1993), since the removal of the cableway winch in 1985, the installation of the of the new ball plugs must be accomplished using a barge mounted crane on the reservoir.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce

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• Man-Made Features.

Location. 44° 30.027′ N, 109° 11.265′ W. Marker is in Cody, Wyoming, in Park County. It is on North Fork Hwy (U.S. 14) 1.2 miles east of Verner Road, on the right when traveling east. Located at the Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center parking area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cody WY 82414, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Bighorn Basin

and in Greater Yellowstone.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Balanced Plunger Hydraulic Valve (here, next to this marker); Upstream Cableway Winch (a few steps from this marker); Buffalo Bill Dam (approx. 0.2 miles away); Buffalo Bill Reservoir (approx. 1½ miles away); Shoshone Canyon (approx. 2½ miles away); Shoshone River Siphon (approx. 3.1 miles away); Colter’s Hell (approx. 3.6 miles

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 14, 2017

2. Ball Plug & Marker

away); Cedar Mountain (approx. 4.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cody.

The Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 14, 2017

3. The Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2017. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,374 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 1, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.