Enterprise
Enterprise is an earth dam located in Fremont County, Wyoming, built in 1940. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Enterprise
The primary purpose of Enterprise is irrigation. The dam stores and diverts water for agricultural irrigation, supporting farming operations in the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Enterprise Ditch Co. (bob Thomsen) (private). It impounds the Townsend Creek near Lander.
The dam stands 29 feet tall and stretches 1,665 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 134 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,409 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 18 square miles. Completed in 1940, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 07/10/2025.
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.
Location
| State | Wyoming |
| County | Fremont |
| Nearest City | Lander |
| River/Stream | Townsend Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.71030, -108.87360 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 29 ft |
| Dam Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,665 ft |
| Year Completed | 1940 (86 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,409 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,409 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,698 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 134 acres |
| Drainage Area | 18 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,208 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Irrigation |
| Owner | ENTERPRISE DITCH CO. (BOB THOMSEN) |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 07/10/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WY01057 |
| Federal ID | WY01057 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |