INDUSTRY IN SWEETWATER COUNTY It’s hard not to notice that the industrial roots of Southwest Wyoming are still alive and well. Combined with the pioneer spirit of the past, Sweetwater County is still a pioneering leader in the world’s energy industry. Sweetwater County is home to the world’s most massive and easily mineable trona deposits. Trona is the raw soda ash material used to make glass, paper, and several other everyday products. There are also many new developments coming to the area. In November 2021, representatives from Rocky Mountain Power and TerraPower announced that the new Natrium Nuclear project will be located near Kemmerer, WY, in neighboring Lincoln County. Firearm company Kel Tec recently opened a facility in Sweetwater County and in September 2022, Williams Companies announced that it, in a joint venture with Crowheart Energy, will invest $300 million in natural gas development in a 1-million-acre field in the Wamsutter area. In addition, several of the Trona mines in the county are currently undergoing large expansion projects. The Wyoming Business Council estimated that an additional 5,800 jobs may be realized in Sweetwater County by 2028. #4 THE EXPEDITION OF JOHN WESLEY POWELL If you want to blend a little history with your fun Green River adventure, Expedition Island in the City of Green River is at the ready. Originally a starting point for Major John Wesley Powell’s expeditions in 1869 and 1871, this island oasis is the perfect spot for family picnics, tubing, kayaking, “blue ribbon” trout fishing and rafting. Or just take a stroll on the island’s path while the kids monkey around on the playground. If you come at just the right time, you can catch an event like the River Festival, Art on the Green and Flaming Gorge Days. *See Page 14 for more information on Expedition Island in Green River. #5 FOSSILS OF LAKE GOSIUTE Time-travel to the Eocene Era at Lake Gosiute, once home to a diverse population of strange creatures that flourished in the lush vegetation and tropical shores. Fast-forward 58 million years and it’s an archaeologist’s paradise with fossil-rich soil that tells tales of ecosystems past. The lake once stretched from Pinedale, Wyoming in the north to Manila, Utah in the south, and it spanned as far as Rawlins to the east and Lyman to the west. If you have a keen eye for fossils, you’re sure to find a few in the area. To enjoy interpretive exhibits and tours, make sure to stop by the visitor center at Fossil Butte National Monument on US-30, just east of Kemmerer. HOW TO SEE IT: From I-80, take exit 103 (College Drive) and continue for about a mile. The destination is on your right. WWCC Natural History Museum 2500 College Drive, Rock Springs, WY (307) 382-1600 www.westernwyoming.edu/campus-map/ exhibits-on-campus/natural-history.php HISTORY MUSEUMS Curious for more? Discover exhibits, artifacts, and stories on local industry at the history museums in Rock Springs and Green River. Rock Springs Historical Museum Page 11 WWCC Natural History Museum Page 10 Sweetwater County Historical Museum Page 14
Sweetwater County Official Travel Guide 2022/2023: Page 23
