Central Wyoming’s Boysen Dam is an earth-fill dam on the Wind River that created the Boysen Reservoir. Situated at the mouth of Wind River Canyon, the dam was built between 1947 and 1952 in the vicinity of Shoshoni in Fremont County. On land leased from the Shoshone and Arapaho tribes, Asmus Boysen constructed a dam in 1908, which this construction took place upstream from. The Wind River Indian Reservation is home to the dam and a large portion of the reservoir.
The creation of Boysen Dam led to significant changes, including the flooding of a major railroad track connecting Billings, Montana, with Casper, Wyoming. To make room for this, a new track was built. It began close to the dam and included a 1 1/3-mile tunnel that carried the lines beneath it and around the reservoir’s perimeter.
The reservoir is surrounded by the scenic Boysen State Park, overseen by the state of Wyoming. The park is a sanctuary for outdoor enthusiasts, with 11 campgrounds strewn around the reservoir and surrounding areas. Fish species in the reservoir include walleye, perch, crappie, rainbow trout, and brown trout. It is a haven for anglers. Located on the northeastern shore, the Boysen Marina is a one-stop shop offering boat and jet ski rentals, a bait shop, and a cafe.
Boysen Reservoir is home to a cold semi-arid climate, a unique feature that brings significant temperature variations throughout the year. Summers typically see highs in the low 90s, while winters bring lows in the single digits, creating a landscape of stark seasonal contrasts that are sure to intrigue and captivate visitors.