Glendo Reservoir, reservoir in Platte / Converse counties, Wyoming, USA

Glendo Reservoir is a large lake in Platte County, formed by the Glendo Dam across the North Platte River. The water stretches for miles along the river valley and is surrounded by open plains, gentle hills, and trees that line the shoreline.

Glendo Reservoir grew out of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program; investigations began in 1944 but legal disputes over North Platte water rights in Wyoming, Nebraska and Colorado delayed work until a 1945 Supreme Court ruling led to a decree amendment finalized in 1954. The earthfill dam, 190 feet high, was completed in 1957 and dedicated on June 9, 1959. It was built to cut siltation at Guernsey Reservoir downstream and to generate hydropower.

Glendo Reservoir lies entirely within Glendo State Park, and the reservoir's name comes from the nearby town of Glendo. Water sports and fishing draw visitors to the water, while the surrounding park land is used for camping and shoreline recreation. The dam was dedicated on June 9, 1959, an event that marked the project's completion.

Glendo Reservoir lies entirely within Glendo State Park, so access to the water and shoreline runs through the park. The reservoir sits on the North Platte River in both Platte and Converse counties, and U.S. Route 87 passes nearby on the dam's east side. Water levels and releases vary with irrigation and flood-control operations, so check conditions before launching a boat.

The dam generates electricity through two turbines that produce about 38 megawatts of clean power for the region. Many visitors are surprised by this hydroelectric function, as they come focused mainly on water and recreation activities.