The cold winter wind howls down the canyon just above the Yellowtail dam in January of 2006
The Bighorn Canyon Lake and recreation area was established amongst much controversy on October 15, 1966 following the construction of the Yellowtail Dam by the Bureau of Reclamation. This dam, named after the famous Crow chairman Robert Yellowtail, captured the waters of the of the spiritual Bighorn River and turned this stream into a magnificent lake. Bighorn Lake extends approximately 71 miles through Wyoming and Montana, 55 miles of which are held within spectacular Bighorn Canyon.