Uinta County Profile
DRAFT
UINTA COUNTY PROFILE
Table of Contents
Section I: Uinta County History ........................................................................................................3
Overview............................................................................................................................................3
Evanston.............................................................................................................................................3
Fort Bridger........................................................................................................................................4
Almy ..................................................................................................................................................4
Lyman ................................................................................................................................................5
Mountain View ..................................................................................................................................5
Bear River ..........................................................................................................................................6
Section II: Demographic and Economic Highlights for Uinta County ..........................................7
Uinta County at a Glance...................................................................................................................7
MAP 2. Uinta County Map............................................................................................................8
Population: Past and Projected...........................................................................................................9
FIGURE 1. Uinta County Population ............................................................................................9
FIGURE 2. Population Distribution ............................................................................................10
2000 Census Population Characteristics..........................................................................................10
2000 Census Housing Characteristics..............................................................................................10
Employment.....................................................................................................................................11
Income in Uinta County...................................................................................................................12
FIGURE 3. Income by Industry...................................................................................................12
FIGURE 4. Total Employees and Wages ....................................................................................13
Land Ownership...............................................................................................................................13
Public Lands.....................................................................................................................................14
Section III: Uinta County Infrastructure and Services.................................................................15
Public Utilities .................................................................................................................................15
Television.....................................................................................................................................15
Radio Stations ..............................................................................................................................15
Electric Power and Distribution...................................................................................................15
Telephone.....................................................................................................................................15
Natural Gas ..................................................................................................................................15
Environmental Health ......................................................................................................................16
Sewer and Septic Systems ...........................................................................................................16
Landfill and Garbage Collection..................................................................................................16
Water and Water Resources.............................................................................................................16
Water Sources and Distribution ...................................................................................................16
Water Storage...............................................................................................................................17
Irrigation Water............................................................................................................................17
Flood Control ...............................................................................................................................17
Transportation ..................................................................................................................................17
Uinta County Profile
1
Highways and Roads....................................................................................................................17
Airport..........................................................................................................................................18
Public Safety and Law Enforcement................................................................................................18
Sheriff and Police.........................................................................................................................18
Emergency and Medical Service .................................................................................................19
Education and Public Facilities........................................................................................................19
Uinta County Public School Districts ..........................................................................................19
FIGURE 5. Uinta County Schools...............................................................................................19
Applied Technology Education ...................................................................................................20
Higher Education .........................................................................................................................20
Libraries .......................................................................................................................................20
Youth Services .............................................................................................................................21
Family/Social Services.................................................................................................................21
Aging Services .............................................................................................................................21
Medical Facilities.........................................................................................................................22
Public Health................................................................................................................................22
Housing Services .........................................................................................................................23
Mental Health and Disabilities.....................................................................................................23
Uinta County References .................................................................................................................24
Public Services.............................................................................................................................24
Environmental Health ..................................................................................................................24
Water and Water Resources.........................................................................................................24
Transportation ..............................................................................................................................24
Public Safety and Law Enforcement............................................................................................24
Education and Public Facilities....................................................................................................25
Human and Social Services .........................................................................................................25
Uinta County Profile
2
Section I:
Uinta County History
Overview
Uinta County lies in a hilly country just north of the Uinta Mountains in the southwest corner of
Wyoming. Rivers flowing north from the mountains have formed valleys where towns and
ranchlands are located. Most of the rest of the area is covered with sagebrush and juniper
woodland. When Uinta County was first established it included the present day counties of
Teton, Lincoln, Uinta, and half of Sublette. The town of Merrill was named the County Seat for
a short time, but Evanston replaced it shortly thereafter.
Uinta County was officially organized in 1896. The first people to the area were trappers,
explorers, and settlers. The Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails cross the county, and it
became an important stopping point for these travelers. As the number of people moving west
increased, so did the population of the County. The 1870 U.S. Census estimated Uinta
County’s population at 856. The county experienced rapid growth over the next few decades.
In 1880 the population was 2,879, in 1890 it climbed to 7,414, and in1900 it reached 12,223.
Evanston
Evanston was settled on 1868 in the Bear River valley by workers on the Union Pacific
Railroad. In 1870, residents voted to move the County Seat from Merrill to Evanston. The city
was first incorporated in 1875 and the present form of city government was adopted on March
4, 1882.
Evanston was a major stop along the Union Pacific Railroad, and one of the first passenger
stations among the entire line. A unique railroad structure which still stands is the $750,000
roundhouse. Plans are underway for its restoration. Until the energy development boom of the
1980’s, the railroad served as the leading
economic and cultural influence in
Evanston.
The Evanston Courthouse was
constructed in 1873, and is believed to be
the oldest Wyoming courthouse still in
use. The first public school was opened
in the summer of 1870, with eight pupils.
The first post office was also established
in 1870. Large coal mining operations in
Almy brought a significant number of
people to the region, and many of them
Uinta County Profile
3
stayed in Evanston. Evanston continued to grow as an urban center, and it is now home to more
than 11,500 residents.
Fort Bridger
Fort Bridger, the oldest settlement in the county, is located in a serene valley on the Black's
Fork River. It was first established in 1842 as a fur trading and supply post by the famous
mountain man, Jim Bridger. The post was moved to its current location in 1843 where it
became an important trading post on the Oregon and Mormon Trails.
In the fall of 1853, Mormons from the Salt Lake Valley took over control of Fort Bridger and
established Fort Supply, but their control of the two forts was short lived. In 1857, President
Buchanan dispatched United States troops to the area to displace the Mormon settlers. As
“Johnston’s Army” approached, the Mormons deserted and burned down both Fort Bridger and
Fort Supply. Colonel A.S. Johnston took over the sites and declared Fort Bridger as a military
post.
In the 1860’s, the area became a
busy site for military activities,
but it also served as a major
station for the Pony Express, the
Overland Stage Line, and the
transcontinental telegraph. It
also served as a post for gold
rushers and the Union Pacific
Railroad. The post was
abandoned in 1878, but later
reactivated in 1880. Many
improvements were made to the
Fort during the 1880’s, but with
removal of the Native American population, the need for such forts ended. In the fall of 1890,
military personnel permanently abandoned Fort Bridger.
Although the military moved on, many settlers decided to make the Fort Bridger and the valley
their home. Over the years, the Fort has been rebuilt and restored and it is now preserved as a
historical site.
Almy
Almy represents the beginning of energy development in Uinta County. Coal was first
discovered in the Almy area in 1868 by a Union Pacific surveying party. The following year
nine mines were established, and they remained productive until their closing in1949.
During the peak of the mining activities, from 1868 to 1900, 2.75 million tons of coal were
removed from the region. The mining activity brought enough people to the area to create the
Town of Almy. In the late 1800’s the town’s population reached its peak at 3,000 residents. A
Uinta County Profile
4
large portion of the population was made up of Chinese immigrants. Many of them lived in
Evanston’s Chinatown, which had a peak population of about 2,000 residents.
After 1900, most of the
major mines closed
down following a series
of mine explosions and
fires which killed nearly
200 people. Although
this was Evanston’s
largest industry for
years, all that remains
today of the operations
are tailings piles and
abandoned shafts. A
new breath in energy development has occurred in recent years with the discovery of oil and
technological advances for its recovery.
Lyman
On May 10, 1899 Francis M. Lyman, an apostle of the Mormon church, and his associate Owen
Woodruff selected the present site of Lyman. The site was originally part of the homestead of S. R.
Brough. Once the site was designated, lots were laid out and a town hall was built.
The town of Lyman is located on a sloping plateau and appears to be higher than Fort Bridger. For
this reason it received its first name, Bench. A post office was secured for the town of Bench. As the
size of the community grew, the Mormon settlers were organized into a ward. The ward was called
Owen in honor of Abraham Owen Woodruff. The members of the ward desired to have the town
called by the same name as the ward, and petitioned the US government for permission to changes
the name of the post office to Owen. However, the government refused, because at that time there
was another post office in the State by the name of Owen. In 1899 the name of the town was changed
to Lyman in honor of Francis M. Lyman.
Even in its early years, Lyman was a well established community. A number of stores, garages, and
hotels were available. There was a branch of the First National Bank of Rock Springs, and a
newspaper, the Bridger Valley Enterprise. Additionally, a branch of the Uinta County Library was
established in 1915. Lyman formally incorporated on October 15, 1915, and now has a population of
nearly two thousand.
Summarized from Uinta County, Its Place in History by, Elisabeth Stone.
Mountain View
The Town of Mountain View, the third largest in the County with a population of 1153, is in the
eastern third of Uinta County in southwest Wyoming approximately six miles south of Interstate 80.
Lying in the northern foothills of Utah’s Uinta Mountains at an elevation of 6,795 feet with the
Uinta County Profile
5
Smith’s Fork River running through it, a sign for the Town proclaims that our elevation is high, the
population low and the temperature cool.
Mountain View got its name from the Mountain View Ranch owned by Mrs. M. A. Groshon in 1891.
By 1893 Mountain View had a post office in one room of her ranch house, along with a small store.
In 1898 W. H. Harvey had a nine square block area surveyed and declared on that survey document
that this was to be the townsite of Mountain View. In 1974 Mountain View was legally incorporated
as a Town and it had a population of 521.
Ranching has always had a significant presence around Mountain View and there are still a number
of self supporting ranching operations within the Mountain View school district boundaries. The
major employers in the area at this time are the Union Telephone Company, the Trona mines 40 miles
to the east, and the Mountain View School District. Recreation also plays an important part in the
local economy as Mountain View is the route of choice for the “Utah Navy’ as they summer at
Flaming Gorge, and for the Utah fishermen, campers and hunters as they do their thing in the High
Uintas Wilderness area in places with names like Red Castle, China Meadows and the Henry’s Fork
Basin.
Prepared by, Mark B Walker, Town of Mountain View
Bear River
On May 29, 2001 the Town of Bear River formally incorporated, making it the newest addition to the
incorporated Uinta County. The area of Bear River has been inhabited for over a hundred years,
although it has never been as densely populated as neighboring Almy. Bear River’s current
boundaries fall within the historic property of the Sessions and Sims ranches. These ranches were
among the earliest settlements in the area, and maintained large cattle operations.
Modern development in Bear River peaked around 1982, during an economic boom in Evanston.
Bear River was initially developed by Hoback Realty as a residential subdivision, designed to meet
increasing housing demands in the Evanston area. Residents of Bear River created the North Uinta
County Improvement and Service District to manage and maintain the community’s water, sewer, and
road systems. Funding for this service district came directly from the residents. When the economic
boom ended, and the community found themselves struggling to provide adequate funds to maintain
the infrastructure, Bear River residents explored the idea of incorporating.
In the two years since its incorporation, Bear River has made tremendous progress. The town has
received a total of roughly $1 million from the State of Wyoming and numerous grants for capital
improvements. Sewer, water, roads, fire, and law enforcement are now all provided to Bear River
residents.
Summarized from an interview with Robin Rhodes, Mayor of Bear River.
Uinta County Profile
6
Section II:
Demographic and Economic Highlights
for Uinta County
Uinta County at a Glance
Uinta County is located in southwestern Wyoming, and borders the states of Utah on the south,
and Idaho on the West. Uinta County’s largest city, Evanston, is located on the Wyoming/Utah
border. The incorporated municipalities in the county are Evanston, Lyman, Bear River, and
Mountain View. The governing body for Uinta County is the Board of County Commissioners.
The three Commissioners are elected for 4-year terms. The Commissioners directly supervise
department heads for all county services which are not under the authority of the other elected
officials. Their areas of responsibility include: roads, public works, facility maintenance, human
services, planning, landfills and health services. They must also adopt the annual budget and tax
levy, meet regularly in open meetings, approve and adopt all County contracts, agreements and
policies, and appoint members of various county boards.
Uinta County Facts:
•
2000 U.S. Census information estimates the population in Uinta County at 19,572. Of these,
11,507 people (52%) live in Evanston.
•
84.8% of the population has attained a high school education or higher, slightly lower than the
State average of 87.9%
•
The median household income in Uinta County in 2000 was $44,544. The state median
income is $37,892.
•
9.9% of people in Uinta County have incomes below the poverty level. The State percentage
of individuals under the poverty level is 11.4%
Uinta County Profile
7
MAP 2. Uinta County Map
Uinta County Profile
8
Population: Past and Projected
Uinta County has been growing steadily since its settlement. Early census data estimates that the
population in1870 consisted of 856. The county experienced rapid growth over the next few
decades. The expanding railroad and coal mining industries accounted for much of this growth.
However, with the closing of the mines, continued westward expansion, and the invention of the
automobile, the population began to decentralize. Uinta County’s overall population declined for a
number of years.
Currently, the region of southwestern Wyoming is experiencing tremendous population growth,
with the average growth for the region at 26.4 percent. However, compared to the other counties
in the region, Uinta County has experienced the smallest increase at 5.5 percent between 1990 and
2000. The overall increase in population in Uinta County occurred in Evanston, growing from
10,903 to11,507 residents. In 2000, Uinta County’s total population was estimated at 19,572.
Growth is expected to continue for the area, but at a slower rate, as illustrated in Figure 1.
FIGURE 1. Uinta County Population
Uinta County Population
25000
20000
15000
10000
5000
0
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
year
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000
Available demographic information indicates that roughly 75 percent of the overall population is
clustered in the urbanized communities of Evanston, Lyman, Mountain View, and Bear River.
The majority of the urbanized population is found in Evanston. The remaining 25 percent of the
population is scattered throughout the county in rural settlements.
Uinta County Profile
9
FIGURE 2. Population Distribution
Community
Number of
Residents
Percent of
Population
58.29%
9.83%
5.84%
2.23%
2.04%
0.30%
0.32%
0.05%
Evanston
11507
Lyman
1938
Mountain View
1153
Bear River
441
Ft. Bridger
400
Robertson
59
Lone Tree
61
Carter
8
other unincorporated
areas
4175
Total
19742
Source: Wyoming Department of Employment, Research, and Planning, 2003
21.1%
100.00%
2000 Census Population Characteristics
Uinta County has a fairly young population, with 36.8 percent of the population being under 20
years of age. People between 20 and 54 years of age, comprise 49.3 percent of the population.
People 55 years and over make up only 13.9 percent of the population. The median age is 31.4
years. This growing young population and a decreasing number of senior citizens is somewhat
different than the rest of Wyoming, which is experiencing just the opposite. This will have
implications in providing services to Uinta county citizens because while the rest of Wyoming is
trying to service the elderly, Uinta County will need services to address the needs of a younger
population.
The cultural diversity of Uinta County is 94.3 percent Caucasian, 5.3 percent of the population is
Hispanic, and several other ethnic groups comprise the small remainder. It is interesting to note
that the large Chinese population once found in the County, is not reflected in the present
demographics.
The majority of the population has a formal education, with 84.7 percent having attained high
school diploma. Of these, 26.5 percent have some college education, 7.7 percent have associates
degrees, 11.1 percent have Bachelor’s degrees, and 3.8 percent have graduate degrees.
2000 Census Housing Characteristics
Data from the 2000 Census shows that there are approximately 6,823 households in the County.
Of these, 75.4 percent are family households, and 24.6 percent are non-family households. About
half, 46.9 percent, of the households have children under 18 years. The average household size is
2.84 people.
There are 8,011 total housing units in the County. Of these, 6,823 or 85.2 percent are occupied,
while vacant housing comprised 14.8 percent of the total. Seasonal, recreational, or occasional-use
Uinta County Profile
10
homes account for 3.0 percent of these vacant units. The majority, 75.3 percent, of the housing
units in the County are owner-occupied.
The census data shows that the median housing value was $89,400, the median gross rent was
$433 per month. Single unit detached homes are the dominant housing type, making up 55.6% of
the housing stock. Mobile homes make up another 23.3 percent. Most of the housing was built in
the 1970’s or 1980’s.
Employment
The people of Uinta County have historically earned their livelihood from activities reliant upon
use of natural resources. The economy of the County has always been dependant upon activities
related to farming, ranching, mining, and energy production. While these activities still play an
important role in the economy, comprising 15 percent of the total workforce, there is a shift
towards a more urban structure.
Currently, the majority of jobs in Uinta County can be broken into four areas: services,
government and government enterprises, retail trade, and construction. Service and retail trade
businesses are generally associated with cities and towns. In Uinta County, these two categories
alone account for 40 percent of all jobs. However, not all jobs are found in the cities and towns.
With the large amount of resource development in the County, construction jobs may generally be
in the field. Construction accounts for about 8 percent of the total workforce.
The fourth employment area, government, is broken into
federal, state, and local governments. Federal positions in
Wyoming are generally with land management or
environmental agencies, such as the Bureau of Land
Management, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, or
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. State positions are similarly with
land management and environmental agencies along with
services, transportation, and public safety. These additional
agencies may include such groups as: state police, highway
department, social services, health personnel, etc. The local
government jobs can be further expanded to include:
city/county employees, educational personnel, public works,
courts, etc. Taking all of these positions into consideration, the
government employs roughly 19 percent of the total workforce.
According to the Census, approximately 420 people earn the
majority of their income from farming. This accounts for just under 4 percent of the total
employment workforce. However, this figure does not take into account seasonal workers or
family members.
The local labor force in Uinta County comprised 11,511 people in February 2003. The employed
labor force included 10,733 people, leaving 9.3 percent of the labor force unemployed.
Uinta County Profile
11
Income in Uinta County
Personal income is a broad measure of income covering all income received by all residents of an
area. It includes wages and salaries, along with dividends, interest, rent, transfer payments, and
other adjustments. Total personal income in Uinta County has risen steadily since 1990, rising
from $274.7 million to $434.3 million. The personal income for the entire state of Wyoming in
2000 was 13.5 billion. Per capita income is derived by dividing the total personal income by the
number of persons in the area. Per capita income in Uinta County in 2000 was $22,042, up from
$14,741 in 1990. Per capita income for the entire state of Wyoming was $27,372 in 2000.
Figure 3 illustrates the breakdown of income by industry. The mining, services, and governmental
sectors have experienced large profits in recent years, while the agriculture industry actually
experienced a net loss in 2002.
FIGURE 3. Income by Industry
Farm
Income by Industry in 2000
0%
0%
17%
22%
Ag Services, Forestry, fishing,
other
Mining
Construction
9%
Manufacturing
4%
Transportation and Public
Utilities
Wholesale Trade
22%
Retail trade
11%
3%
10%
Finance, insurance, real estate
2%
Services
Source: Wyoming Department of Employment, Research and Planning, 2003
Uinta County Profile
12
FIGURE 4. Total Employees and Wages
Economic
Sector
Farm
Employment
forestry, fishing,
hunting
mining
construction
manufacturing
transportation and
public utilities
wholesale trade
retail trade
finance,
insurance, and
real estate
Services
Total Private
Employment
federal
state
local
Total
Government
Employment
Average number
of Employees
Total Wages
(in
thousands)
422
-404
148
ND
884
474
$1,358
ND
$27,235
$12,694
713
203
2147
$32,685
$6,689
$27,596
483
ND
$10,046
ND
10921
$373,415
198
561
1404
$5,735
$16,649
$38,574
2163
$60,958
All Economic
Sectors
13084
$434,373
Notes: ND indicates that the figures are shown to avoid disclosing confidential information, but the estimates for this
item are included in the totals
Source: Wyoming Department of Employment, Research and Planning, 2003
Land Ownership
Uinta County covers 1,331,200 acres. It is one of the smaller counties in Wyoming, covering 2.14
percent of the state. Of the land within the County, 53.9 percent is owned privately. 42.4 percent
of public land is managed by the Federal government, and the state manages 3.7 percent of the
land.
Uinta County Profile
13
Public Lands
Public lands in Uinta County provide opportunities and resources for multiple uses including:
recreation, livestock grazing, timber harvesting, mining and mineral development, along with
providing for wildlife, ensuring air and water quality, protecting cultural and paleontologial
resources, maintaining rights-of-way, and protecting wilderness values.
Maintaining opportunities for multiple uses of public lands is an important issue for County
residents. For example, livestock production has occurred in Uinta County for more than a
century, and ranching has been very influential in shaping the County’s lifestyle and character.
Public lands play an important role in the County’s agricultural industry by providing grazing land
for this livestock. Similarly, energy and mineral resources have historically been very influential
of Uinta County’s economy and culture. From the early coal mines to more recent oil and coal bed
methane exploration and production, much
of the energy development in the County
has occurred on public lands.
Timber harvesting is another historic use of
public lands in the County. It is important
to the County to maintain sustainable timber
harvesting as a multiple use of federal lands,
and as an effective forest management tool
to maintain healthy forests on public lands.
A more recent use of public lands is for
recreational purposes. As the population of
Uinta County increases, there will be increasing demand for recreation facilities and spaces.
Bureau of Land Management and National Forest lands provide County residents with places to
hike, camp, bicycle, horseback ride, fish, hunt, picnic, and to enjoy the outdoors.
Uinta County Profile
14
Section III:
Uinta County Infrastructure
and Services
Public Utilities
Television
Uinta County receives broadcasts from four public television stations; KGWC CBS in
Casper; KTWO ABC in Casper; KGWN CBS in Cheyenne, and KCWC PBS in
Riverton. Public television service is available to Uinta County residents in the
Evanston and Bridger Valley areas through translators.
Cable television is provided to the county by Adelphia and All-West. Additionally, the
Union Telephone Company offers cable television to the community of Mountain View,
Wyoming.
Radio Stations
There are two local radio stations serving Uinta County:
KEVA, 1240 AM; and KOTB, 106.3 FM. Both stations
broadcast from Evanston.
Electric Power and Distribution
Pacific Power is the primary electrical power provider to
Uinta County. Although, Bridger Valley Electric is a small
private power company which serves Mountain View,
Lyman, and some of the more rural areas of the county.
Telephone
Qwest provides residential and business telephone service to
most of Uinta County. Bridger Valley’s telephone service is
provided by Union Telephone.
Natural Gas
Questar provides natural gas to Uinta County. Most residents are connected to gas, and
service areas include: Anshutz Ranch, Bear River, Fort Bridger, Lyman, Mountain
View, and Evanston. Residents in the more rural areas of the county still rely on
propane or wood for heating.
Uinta County Profile
15
Environmental Health
Sewer and Septic Systems
Sewer service is provided by individual communities, rather than by the County. Bear
River, Evanston, Lyman, Ft. Bridger, and Mountain View each have their own sewer
systems. Residents outside of these service areas rely on septic systems.
Landfill and Garbage Collection
There are two landfills currently serving
Uinta County. These are the Uinta County
Solid Waste Disposal Facility, located in
Evanston; and the Bridger Valley Landfill,
which is near Carter.
Most county residents have access to
weekly garbage collection. Residential
waste collection is provided by Gary
Service and Waste Management. Some
residents of Bridger Valley still use burn
barrels to dispose of their residential waste.
Industrial waste collection is provided by
LJE.
Water and Water Resources
The Wyoming Constitution defines that all natural waters within the boundaries of the
state are declared to be the property of the state. The Wyoming State Engineer's Office
is charged with the regulation and administration of the water resources in Wyoming.
Water in Uinta County comes from two different water basins, the Bear River Water
Basin, and the Green River Water Basin. Most of the water diverted in the County goes
to irrigation. Municipal and industrial water uses account for a small proportion of the
total water consumed.
Water Sources and Distribution
In the incorporate communities of the County, culinary water distribution is conducted
by each community or by mutual water companies. The Bridger Valley Joint Powers
Board runs a treatment plant and sells water to the towns of Lyman, Mt. View, and the
lower Bridger Service Area. Residents outside of these incorporated municipalities buy
their water directly from the Joint Powers Board. Residents in the most rural areas of
the county rely on individual wells or springs.
Evanston’s Public Works division provides service support for delivering potable tap
water to each user within the Evanston area. They repair pipe bursts, locate and fix
system leaks, respond to freeze-ups, repair and replace meters, read meters for usage and
Uinta County Profile
16
billing(s), turn on new services, respond to turn-off requests, shut off delinquent
accounts, etc.. Bear River gets its water supply from individual wells.
Water Storage
Uinta County has three water storage reservoirs: Stateline, Meeks Cabin, and Sulfur
Creek. The Stateline reservoir is fed by the Smith’s Fork River. The Meeks Cabin
reservoir is fed by the Black’s Fork River, while Sulfur Creek reservoir is filled with
water from the Bear River. The
Stateline and Meeks Cabin
reservoirs are managed by the
Bureau of Reclamation, and
they provide both culinary and
agricultural water to the county.
Irrigation Water
Irrigation and agricultural use is
the primary consumer of water
in Uinta County. Most of the
irrigation water in the county is
distributed by mutual irrigation
or ditch companies. These private companies hold several water rights and distribute
water to different areas of the county. Municipal irrigation water, for uses such as
watering school grounds or parks, is distributed by the individual municipalities.
Flood Control
The Stateline and Meeks Cabin reservoirs serve as holding basins for water runoff and
provide some flood control for the county. Water storage is their primary function, but
flood control is a secondary benefit. The Bureau of Reclamation regulates the amount
of water discharged from reservoirs back into rivers. The Reclamation takes
responsibility for monitoring the dams and warning the county in case of dam failure.
Sulphur Creek Reservoir is owned by the City of Evanston and is used just for water
storage.
The County has taken other measures to provide flood control. There is a limited berm
that helps protect from flooding in the El Caballo area of Bear River Town. Mountain
View has done some stream bank stabilization on the Smith's Fork that runs through
their town
Transportation
Highways and Roads
Interstate I-80 crosses east/west through the middle of the county. There is one US
highway, and five state highways which cross through the county. US 189 begins at I80 and heads north through the county towards Kemmerer. Highway 89 joins I-80 just
north of Evanston, connects to Almy, goes through Bear River, and then enters Utah.
Uinta County Profile
17
Highway 150 is closed for much of the year due to snow pack, but is a beautiful drive
from Evanston, WY to Kamas, Utah through the Uinta mountains. Highway 410
connects Robertson to Mountain View. Highway 414 begins in Sweetwater County, and
passes through Lonetree and Mountain
View before it connects to I-80.
Highway 412 picks up where 414 joins
the interstate. It continues north
through Carter and joins US 189 near
the Lincoln County border.
Maintenance and development of
county roads in Uinta County is divided
into two sections: Road and Bridge
East, located in Mountain View; and
Road and Bridge West, located in
Evanston. State roads are maintained
by Wyoming Department of Transportation.
Airport
The largest airport in Uinta County is the Burns Field Airport in Evanston and is run by
Star West Aviation. The airport is open to private jets and a few commercial flights.
The airport offers tie-down, heated hanger space, premix jet fuels, flight instruction,
charters, aircraft rentals, and full maintenance. During the 2000 Olympic Winter
Games, a 737 carrying Olympic athletes landed at this airport.
A second airport is located near Fort Bridger. This airport houses a full time mechanic
and provides hangers for private planes. This airport has received some funding recently
and is using this for additional improvements.
Public Safety and Law Enforcement
Sheriff and Police
The Uinta County Sheriff’s Department covers the county and provides dispatch
communications for all agencies in the county. The Uinta County Sheriff is elected
every four years. The Sheriff is responsible for enforcement of Wyoming State laws
within the County. The Uinta County Sheriff is also responsible for operating the
County Jail which is located near Evanston. Evanston, Lyman and Mountain View have
their own police departments. Uinta County Sheriff’s Department provides law
enforcement to the town of Bear River.
The largest local police department, the Evanston Police Department, is an agency of 28
sworn police officers who, along with the five support members, provide law
enforcement services to the Evanston area.
Uinta County Profile
18
Emergency and Medical Service
Fire protection and hazardous materials response is provided by the Uinta County Fire
District with a fire chief in Evanston, Lyman, Mountain View, Bear River, and Fort
Bridger. The Uinta County Ambulance Service provides ambulance service throughout
the county. The Uinta County Emergency Management is responsible for planning and
preparing for natural and man-made disasters, for coordinating and providing resources
for emergency response to disasters.
Education and Public Facilities
Uinta County Public School Districts
There are three public school districts in Uinta County. Uinta County School District #1
covers the Evanston Area, Uinta County School District #4 serves the Mt. View area,
and Uinta County School District #6 serves the Lyman area.
Uinta County School District #1 is
currently the sixth largest school district
in Wyoming with approximately 3,200
students in classrooms of manageable
size. With revenues generated by
substantial oil and gas production
during the 1980s, five new schools
were constructed in the City including
Evanston High School. Educational
facilities in the county are now valued
at $61 million. There are a total of 14
schools in the county. They are as follows:
FIGURE 5. Uinta County Schools
School
District
Lyman High School
Uinta County School District #6
Lyman Middle School
Uinta County School District #6
Lyman Elementary School
Uinta County School District #6
Urie Elementary School
Uinta County School District #6
Evanston Middle School
Uinta County School District #1
Davis Middle School
Uinta County School District #1
Uinta County Profile
19
Aspen Elementary School
Uinta County School District #1
Clark Elementary School
Uinta County School District #1
North Elementary School
Uinta County School District #1
Uinta Meadows Elementary
School
Evanston High School
Uinta County School District #1
Mountain View High
School
Mountain View Elementary
Uinta County School District #4
Mountain View Middle
School
Uinta County School District #1
Uinta County School District #4
Uinta County School District #4
Applied Technology Education
Evanston City residents benefit from the Lifelong Learning Center (LLC), which, in
partnership with Western Wyoming Community College of Rock Springs, provides
academic, certificate, and non-credit community education. LLC is a Microsoft
Authorized Academic Training Provider and an authorized Prometric Testing Center. It
currently facilitates technical training programs, including the Business Skills Institute
and Industrial Safety Training. Both meet specific
industry needs and are accepted by agencies such as
OSHA, MSHA, and the Wyoming Safety Council. In
addition, the LLC offers adult enrichment classes,
computer and Internet courses, a paralegal certificate
program, nursing and business management courses.
Higher Education
Over thirty bachelor and master degree programs are
available from the University of Wyoming and Utah State
University through distance learning via satellite.
Advanced education is available within less than two hours
travel at the University of Utah, Brigham Young
University, Weber State University, and Utah State
University. In addition, a few hours to the east, is the
University of Wyoming at Laramie.
Libraries
There are three libraries in Uinta County: the Uinta County Library in Evanston, the Lyman
Branch, and the Mountain View Branch. The libraries are open Monday through Saturday
year round. The administrative headquarters for the Uinta County Library system is
located at the Uinta County Library.
Uinta County Profile
20
Human/Social Services
Youth Services
Department of Family Services youth services include
work with families where behaviors place youth at risk of
delinquency including CHINS (Children in Need of
Supervision) or youth on juvenile probation. Social
services are also provided for children and/or adults at risk
of abuse or neglect without regard to financial situation
including counseling, adoption, foster care, crisis
intervention, preventive day care, emergency shelter,
residential treatment for children, and investigations of
abuse and child support failure. Evanston Child
Development Center and Lincoln-Uinta County Child
Development Association provide licensed quality
childcare.
Family/Social Services
Department of Family Services is a multipurpose human service agency providing
assistance to individuals with limited income and resources in obtaining medical care
(through Medicaid and other programs), food stamps, child care, or nursing home care.
The TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) program provides short term
financial assistance for families in need with dependent children. Parents and
sometimes children receiving TANF must participate in the POWER (Personal
Opportunities with Employment Responsibilities) program. The department also
administers the VISION USA program, which provides free eye examinations and
glasses, and the Telephone Assistance plan which can reduce the phone bill of qualified
households.
The Lord’s Storehouse is a non-denominational community food bank that offers nonperishable items and services for families and individuals who are in need. The
Cent$ible Nutrition Program helps show families how to afford food for the entire
month through budgeting and cooking strategies. The program also provides
information on food safety.
Aging Services
The Uinta Senior Citizens operate a community
center in Evanston which provides a variety of
socially, physically, and educationally beneficial
activities for Evanston seniors. The center offers
home health care; adult day care; and meals &
transportation services, which enables seniors to
remain independent and in their homes.
Uinta County Profile
21
Medical Facilities
The Evanston Regional Hospital is the most specialized and well equipped in the area.
Services include acute medical care with a staff of nearly 200 professionals, including
18 active physicians. Two family practice clinics are associated with the hospital.
Medical services include orthopedics, emergency medicine, OB/GYN, pediatrics, dental
care, ophthalmology, podiatry, pathology, radiology, otolaryngology, cardiology,
urology, internal medicine, dermatology and surgery. This hospital is also working to
create a telecommunications medical network which connects them directly to
University of Utah Medical and Research Centers.
Other health care facilities and services include the Wyoming State Hospital, the Uinta
Senior Citizens Home Health Care program, the Uinta Senior Citizens Day Care, the
Tender Heart Home Care/ Hospice program, Rocky Mountain Care, Uinta Urgent Care,
Bear River Surgical Clinic, and the Bridger Valley
Family Practice.
Public Health
Uinta County Public Health has several programs and
services to aid county residents. Best Beginnings is a
project that assures early and continued prenatal care
with coordination of services to assist pregnant
women and their families. Children’s Special Health
is a program that helps families with children who
have special health care needs. This program
provides financial assistance and family support, and
specialty clinics are available across the state where a
child may be seen for evaluation and services. The Premature Newborn Program is a
program for families, which provides home visits, guidance, education and support for
those families with a premature newborn. The Nurse Family Partnership is a home
visiting program for first time mothers. A registered nurse with special training directs
the visits. The program provides help and support throughout pregnancy and for babies
in their first two years. The program also provides education on breast feeding,
nutrition, child growth and development, bonding/attachment, and empowers young
mothers to become the best parents they can be. Welcome Home Visits is a free home
visit given by a Registered Nurse with expertise in newborn care. This program
provides education on breast-feeding,
nutrition, child growth and development,
safety seats, and a variety of other services.
County Public Health also provides
vaccinations and education on diseases and
health concerns.
In addition to the services of County Public
Health, the Uinta County Human Services
Department sponsors an array of quality
community health programs including family
Uinta County Profile
22
services, teen parenting support, drug use prevention, two 24-hour crisis hotlines, WIC,
and a youth alternative home.
Housing Services
The Evanston Housing Authority provides rental assistance to people with low income
including seniors, families, and people who have a disability or mental illness. In
addition, the Uinta County Human Services provides to the homeless help with lodging,
transportation, and food. It also provides Uinta County residents on a "one-time only"
basis emergency assistance with utilities, rent, and food.
Mental Health and Disabilities
Frontier Psychological Associates, Pioneer Counseling, and Cornerstone Behavioral
Health all provide mental health services. Other agencies support people with
disabilities, including the Wyoming Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Western
Wyoming Center for Independent Living, The ARC, the Evanston Business Leadership
Network, and the Evanston Housing Authority.
Uinta County Profile
23
Uinta County References
Public Services
Qwest
Union Telephone
Questar
BV Electric
Pacific Power
Environmental Health
County Solid Waste Coordinator
Public Works Departments
City of Evanston
Town of Bear River
Town of Lyman
Town of Mt. View
Water and Water Resources
Bridger Valley Joint Powers Board
Public Works Departments
City of Evanston
Town of Bear River
Town of Lyman
Town of Mt. View
789-3224
782-6231
789-2711
786-2800
789-2446
783-0311
783-6300
789-2800
787-6595
782-3100
782-3130
783-6300
789-2800
787-6595
782-3100
Transportation
WYDOT, District 3, Evanston
Road Report
County Road & Bridge
Evanston
Bridger Valley
Evanston Airport
Fort Bridger Airstrip
783-1055
782-3254
789-2256
782-3273
Public Safety and Law Enforcement
All Emergencies
Fire Department
Ambulance
County Sheriff
Evanston Police
Lyman Police
Mt. View Police
WY Highway Patrol
911
789-3013
789-8556
783-1000
789-8072
787-6500
782-3100
789-3119
Uinta County Profile
789-3363
1-800-996-7623
24
Education and Public Facilities
Uinta County School District # 1
Uinta County School District # 4
Uinta County School District #6
Uinta County Library
789-7571
782-3377
787-6169
789-2770
Human and Social Services
Department of Family Services
Evanston
Lyman
Uinta County Human Services
Uinta Senior Citizens
Cent$ible Nutrition Program
The Lord’s Storehouse
Evanston Housing Authority
Evanston Regional Hospital
Uinta County Public Health
789-2756
786-4011
789-7194
789-7712
783-0579
789-3893
789-2381
789-3636 or 1-800-244-3537
789-9203
Uinta County Profile
25