Lower Sunshine

About Lower Sunshine

The primary purpose of Lower Sunshine is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Greybull Valley Irrigation District (private). It impounds the Sunshine Creek Offstream near Meeteetse.

The dam stands 162 feet tall and stretches 1,660 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,049 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 71,800 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 26 square miles. Completed in 1972, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/30/2025.

At 162 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Wyoming dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.