Outgrowing infrastructure isn’t just a problem in cities, it afflicts outdoor recreation, too. This summer, growing need prompted the Game and Fish to more than double the size of the Wedding of the Waters parking lot south of Thermopolis.

With float-fishing skyrocketing in popularity and the Bighorn River from Thermopolis to Kirby growing a lot of nice rainbows and browns, demand overwhelming outpaced the space at the access area and boat ramp. So much so that the parking lot, even though it was around 18,000 square feet, would frequently fill up with trucks and boat trailers, forcing some anglers to park on the highway shoulder.

Since there was extra acreage at the site, this was a dangerous situation that was easy to mitigate. A bulldozer, backhoe and dump truck reported for duty July 11 and 12, adding about 22,500 square feet to the parking lot. The area was leveled and 5 inches of road base surface, a mixture of sand and small rock, was spread and packed with the heavy equipment.

“The project went well and didn’t take nearly as long as expected,” said Brad Sorensen, the Game and Fish habitat and access supervisor for northern Wyoming. “We were happy to see the expansion being used the day after we finished.”

He is quick to commend Wyoming Outdoorsmen, a Cody-based group often called Wy-O, for providing materials for the expansion. “The Wyoming Outdoorsmen are a great supporter of the Game and Fish Department and we appreciate it,” Sorensen said.

Wind River Canyon Whitewater and Fly Fishing provided a unique assist during the expansion. The outfitter/fishing business allowed anglers to park at their Thermopolis facility after launching their boats and then provided a shuttle service back to the access area.   

Game and Fish acquired the 12-acre Wedding of the Waters access area in January 1990.

— Jeff Obrecht