Boysen Dam Beginnings

Boysen Reservoir

The Boysen Dam today. Timothy Rockhold, photographer

BOYSEN STATE PARK AND ITS DAM BEGINNINGS

In 1952, a new earthen dam was finished near the Wind River Canyon to hold back the Wind River. As water flooded the homesteads, prairie and sage, a large lake was created that eventually boasted 77 miles of shoreline and approximately 20,000 surface acres of water. Five years after the dam was finished, a new park was opened to the public.

Boysen State Park quickly became a favorite attraction to fisherman, campers and boaters. Tourists and locals came far and wide to fish in the new lake which remains a popular attraction.

The original dam was the dream – and curse - of Asmus Boysen in the early 1900’s. This Chicago politician, seeking to expand his wealth, had joined the gold rush into Wyoming. After surveying the area, he decided that a dam was needed to provide electricity in the proposed Copper Mountain mining district.

Those against the dam protested that it would prevent a railroad from being built through the Wind River Canyon and would threaten the safety of the Town of Thermopolis. Opponents were worried that the fledgling town would be swept away in floods should the dam fail.

Despite these objections, Boysen was able to build his dam with his connections back in Washington D.C. Over one thousand men worked for him and he formed the town of Boysen at the mouth of the canyon. By 1911, his dam was completed and transmitting power.

However, the dam was beset with continuing litigation from the railroad and structural issues. Severe floods in the 1920’s washed water over the railroad tracks and Chicago Burlington & Quincy had to shut down operations.

Asmus Boysen, builder of the original Boysen Dam

Bankrupt, Boysen abandoned his dam after losing his last few customers. Eventually, it was torn down and the town of Boysen deserted. Remnants of the old dam can still be seen at the Lower Wind River Campground.

In December 1952, the government built a successful dam upstream after forcing the railroad to build their tracks higher off the ground to prevent future flooding. They named the new dam and state park after Asmus Boysen who had dreamed of building his fortune with the original dam. Instead, the gold rush he had anticipated in the Copper Mountain area never happened, the electricity was bought elsewhere and Boysen’s wealth was lost in the process.

His name lives on at the Boysen State Park. Campgrounds, swimming holes and picnic areas are enjoyed by the public who flock to the beaches that once were dry land.

Reservations must be made ahead of time so book your own camping experience by visiting the Wyoming State Park website at wyoparks.wyo.gov. You can also book your stay in Thermopolis and enjoy a tour of the scenic Wind River Canyon on your way to the Boysen Reservoir.

When you throw in your fishing line at the Boysen Reservoir, you will discover a diverse fishery.

MAJOR SPORTS SPECIES: walleye, sauger, perch, crappie, ling, rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout.

GAME FISH: largemouth bass, bluegill, stonecat, black bullhead, mountain whitefish, lake trout, brook trout and splake.

NON-GAME SPECIES: carp, fathead minnow, plains killifish, golden and sand shriners; flathead, lake and creek chubs; white, longnose and northern redhorse suckers; and the river capsucker