Trihydro completed a reservoir rehabilitation project in western Wyoming for a confidential client. The reservoir was first permitted for construction in the 1920s through the Wyoming State Engineer’s Office. The reservoir provided a reliable source of water for livestock and wildlife until its earthen dam embankment was breached in the early 1990s. The breach is believed to have resulted from of a severe flood event.
Over the 90-plus years the reservoir had been in service, wave erosion had damaged and weakened its embankment. The originally constructed emergency spillway that allowed bypass of flood flows was significantly undersized relative to current-day engineering standards. The embankment had not been repaired since the breach occurred and the reservoir remained empty.
The purpose of the rehabilitation project was to restore the reservoir to full capacity to serve as a long-term source of water for wildlife and livestock. Rehabilitation plans included remedial excavation and backfill of the breach, along with construction of new outlet works and an enlarged emergency spillway consistent with modern design standards.
Trihydro was charged with leading each phase of the project work and coordinating communication with the client, adjacent landowners, and state and federal agencies to confirm the project met stakeholder needs.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department awarded the client an Industry Reclamation and Wildlife Stewardship Award for this project. The award is presented to a company or agency whose primary mission is not wildlife-related, but who has made a significant contribution to the maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of wildlife-related recreation above and beyond regulatory requirements.