“When the boom’s gone, this thing’s gonna dry up and blow away.” - Jim Hughes, Wamsutter Resident

Since 2000, gas companies have flocked to the vast deposits of natural gas in the desert surrounding Wamsutter, Wyoming. Today, this small, dusty town, situated amidst a stark landscape of sagebrush and parched earth, is booming. The roughnecks and townspeople work tirelessly, struggling to build a good life and community for their families. Yet, with the city's history of booms and busts, for many residents the realization of a permanent community has remained elusive. Like a tumbleweed blowing across nearby I-80, the town feels temporary and the people transient. Residents hope though that this boom will bring change and stability. They hope that the economic prosperity reaped by the gas companies and the state government will find its way back to help create a lasting Wamsutter.