Pathfinder Dam is a masonry dam located in Natrona County, Wyoming, built in 1909. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 214 ft214 ft tall and 432 ft long, taller than 99% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against the Statue of Liberty, 305 ft ground to torch; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Pathfinder Dam
The primary purpose of Pathfinder Dam is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Bureau of Reclamation (federal). It impounds the North Platte River near Casper.
The dam stands 214 feet tall and stretches 432 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 22,014 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,016,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 10,671 square miles. Completed in 1909, the structure is over a century 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/10/2021.
At 214 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.
Location
| State | Wyoming |
| County | Natrona |
| Nearest City | Casper |
| River/Stream | North Platte River |
| Coordinates | 42.46800, -106.85380 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Masonry |
| NID Height | 214 ft |
| Dam Height | 214 ft |
| Dam Length | 432 ft |
| Year Completed | 1909 (117 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,016,500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,016,500 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,016,500 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 22,014 acres |
| Drainage Area | 10,671 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 32,449 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Bureau of Reclamation |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not assessed |
| Last Inspection | 06/10/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | WY01296 |
| Federal ID | WY01296 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |