The Buffalo Bill Dam and Visitor Center

As you wind your way west out of Cody and go through a few tunnels, you will see signs for the Buffalo Bill Dam and Visitor Center at the end of the tunnels.  I had read about the dam in doing research for our vacation and wanted to make sure we were able to visit it at some time during our stay.  It was right on the way to our cabin, so that worked out perfectly.

The dam truly is a sight to see!  Kris and I commented as we were looking at the structure and considering the time that it was being built, what a major undertaking this must have been.  In 1904, when they started the project, they didn't have any of the modern day tools we do and what a job!  Simply amazing.

Here are some fun historical facts which were found on the dam's website about the dam.

Buffalo Bill Dam History
Fun Facts
The Buffalo Bill Dam was originally called the Shoshone Dam. 

Drilling to find bedrock for the foundation began in the spring of 1904.

82,900 cubic yards of concrete were used to build the dam.
Seven men were killed during construction.
Daniel Webster Cole was the engineer.
The final cost of the dam was $929,658.

Buffalo Bill Dam was the tallest dam in the world when completed in 1910.

The boys and I above the dam

Brock standing near one of the ball plugs 

that was used to stop the flow of water

through the dam

A sign explaining what the ball plugs were used for

The boys at the Visitor Center sign

The dam itself

That's a long way down!

Looking at the Shoshone River flowing toward Cody

Love the terrain in this area