Cody’s Iconic Buffalo Bill Dam in Wyoming Turns 100

CODY, Wyo., January, 2010 – One of the most remarkable feats of early 20th century engineering – the Buffalo Bill Dam in Cody, Wyo. – is turning 100 this month. The dam was the brainchild of the town’s founder, Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, who realized the town he was in the process of developing and the region surrounding it must have a dependable water source if the area was to become the tourism mecca he envisioned. Construction on the massive project began in 1905, and the dam was completed in January 1910 at a cost of $929,658. At 325 feet, it was the highest dam in the world.

“Buffalo Bill Cody was many things – a showman, a storyteller and a civic leader – but he was also quite pragmatic, and he knew that if the town of Cody was to thrive, it had to have a reliable water source,” said Claudia Wade, director of the Park County Travel Council. “Today’s town of Cody owes its prominence and prosperity to many people, but mostly to our namesake, who had the guts to think about the future, and to think big.”

Although it was conceived by Buffalo Bill Cody, the dam was originally called the Shoshone Dam because it draws water from the Shoshone River. Situated six miles from the town of Cody, the dam was the first of three major ones built by the Bureau of Reclamation. The dam was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

In 1993, an eight-year modification project was completed. That project added 25 feet to the height to the dam, for a modern-day total of 353 feet. The expansion also increased the dam’s water storage and power generation capacity significantly.

Thanks to the dramatic views of the Shoshone Canyon offered from the dam’s crest as well as its historical and engineering significance, the dam draws thousands of visitors each year. The Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center is open daily throughout the summer season.

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Yellowstone Country is comprised of the towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse as well as the valley east of Yellowstone National Park.

The area of Park County is called “Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country because it was the playground of Buffalo Bill Cody himself. Buffalo Bill founded the town of Cody in 1896, and the entire region was driven and is still heavily influenced by the vision of the Colonel. Today its broad streets, world-class museum Buffalo Bill Historical Center and thriving western culture host nearly 1 million visitors annually.

The Park County Travel Council website (www.yellowstonecountry.org) lists information about vacation packages, special events, guide services, weather and more. Travelers wishing to arrange vacation can also call the Park County Travel Council at 1-800-393-2639.

January 18, 2010   Posted in: United States West