Silver Lake Dam Rehabilitation
The Silver Lake Irrigation District has proposed to rehabilitate the dam, inside the Bridger Wilderness, that supplies water under their state water rights. State engineers have rated the dam's hazard at high. Potential actions include 1.)Raise the dam to ensure the Freeboard Hydrograph (FBH) maximum water surface elevation complies with High Hazard Dam safety guidelines. 2)Fill downstream embankment to accommodate chimney filter installation and provide stability for dam crest raise. 3)Conduct outlet maintenance: installing Cured in Place Pipe (CIPP), replacing and lengthening the outlet conduit to conform with modified embankment limits, removing existing inlet/outlet works and replacing with imported precast concrete, and installing a new outlet control gate and control mechanism. 4)Repairing upstream dam embankment rip-rap sections and clearing the dam of vegetation. The Regional Office would need to complete Mininum Requirements Analysis under the Wilderness Act, with activities proposed to be accomplished with heavy motorized equipment over the course of a summer and fall. Equipment and materials would access the site via overland travel and by helicopter.
Project Summary
Location Summary:
Silver Lake Dam is within, and pre-dates, the Bridger Wilderness Area on the south slope of the Wind River Mountains, east of Boulder, WY.
Project Milestones:
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Scoping Start | 05/2025 (Estimated) |
| Comment Period | 05/2025 (Estimated) |
| 10/2025 (Estimated) | |
| Objection Period Start | 10/2025 (Estimated) |
| Decision | 04/2026 (Estimated) |
| Implementation | 06/2026 (Estimated) |
Expected Analysis Type:
Environmental Assessment
Special Authority:
Not Applicable / Other
Lead Management Unit:
Pinedale Ranger District
Notice and Comment Regulation:
218 (2013) Non-HFRA
Project Purpose:
Special Use Management; Projects That May Affect Wilderness (For Mailing List Contacts)
Project Activity:
Special Use Authorizations
Current Status:
On Hold
Forests:
Bridger-Teton National Forest
Districts:
Pinedale Ranger District
States:
Wyoming
Counties:
Sublette
Legal Land Description:
Not Applicable
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Justin Snyder
29 East Fremont Lake Rd.
Pinedale, WY 82941
307 367 5740
justin.snyder@usda.gov
Last Updated: 3/24/2025