Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is a United States national recreation area in Wyoming and Utah. Its centerpiece is the 91 mi long Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

History

The area was given the name "Flaming Gorge" by John Wesley Powell during his 1869 expedition down the Green River, due to the spectacular, gorgeous red sandstone cliffs that surround this part of the river. The Flaming Gorge reservoir was created by the 1964 construction of the Flaming Gorge Dam across the Green River.

Uses

Power

Flaming Gorge Dam is used to generate hydroelectric power. Three turbines and generators at the base of the dam have the capacity to produce 50,650 kilowatts of electrical power each.

Recreation

Flaming Gorge National Recreation area is administered by the Ashley National Forest. Activities in the recreation area include camping, biking, rock climbing, paddling, hiking, boating and fishing on the Flaming Gorge Reservoir, and rafting on the portion of the Green River downstream from Flaming Gorge Dam.