Wyoming’s Fontenelle Expansion Wins U.S. House Passage

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The U.S. House has passed a measure to expand the water storage at Fontenelle Reservoir in southwest Wyoming.

Republican Rep. Liz Cheney says the proposal now goes to the Senate for consideration.

The state's congressional delegation has been pressing for the legislation, saying that the expansion of the reservoir's storage is important to maintaining a reliable water supply in the region and would help boost the local economy.

The Bureau of Reclamation oversees operation of the Fontenelle Reservoir.

The proposed expansion would be accomplished by completing "rip rap" around the reservoir. Rip rap is a foundation or sustaining wall of stones or chunks of concrete connected together around the reservoir to prevent erosion.