The project was initially conceived and built for irrigation purposes that involved storage at Seminoe Reservoir and diversion at Alcova Dam to project lands. However, the opportunity to generate vast quantities of electric power soon presented itself, and two powerplants were constructed. However, since Alcova Dam was constructed primarily to provide storage for direct diversion and hold over storage for late season irrigation downstream, irrigation has a higher preference than power on the use of water. Since project construction, significant recreational and flood control benefits have also been realized. The first irrigation water was diverted into the Casper Canal on June 14, 1946.
Principle crops are alfalfa, hay, barley, corn, oats, and irrigated pasture.
Alcova Dam , Reservoir, and Powerplant are located in Natrona County, Wyoming, approximately 30 miles southwest of Casper, Wyoming and 1 mile southeast of Wyoming Highway 220 and the town of Alcova. Alcova Dam is on the North Platte River about 37 miles downstream from Seminoe Dam or 10 miles downstream from Pathfinder Dam. The dam forms a reservoir from which water is diverted into Casper Canal for irrigation of lands in the Kendrick Project. The dam is a zoned earthfill structure rising 265 feet above its foundation, and containing 1,635,000 cubic yards of material. Water is released for other irrigation rights downstream through the Alcova Powerplant or over a controlled spillway.