National Hydropower Day is August 24.
Water powers our lives in many ways in Northwest Montana. It gives us places to float, fish and paddle. It creates the scenery we photograph, the lakes and rivers we gather around, and the habitat that supports fish, wildlife and entire ecosystems. It also helps keep our homes and businesses energized.
From its start near the confluence of Danaher and Youngs creeks in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, the South Fork of the Flathead River begins a journey of more than 1,100 miles to the Pacific Ocean.
Along the way, it helps power the Northwest. At Hungry Horse Dam, South Fork water generates clean, carbon-free hydropower. The dam provides about 100 megawatts of power on average — enough electricity to serve roughly one half of Flathead Electric Cooperative’s membership. After leaving Hungry Horse, that same water continues through the Flathead, Clark Fork, Pend Oreille and Columbia River system, passing through as many as 19 more hydroelectric projects before reaching the sea.
That means one of our most familiar natural resources is also one of our most important energy resources. Hydropower captures the force of flowing water to produce reliable, carbon-free electricity, helping support the grid during busy mornings, hot summer evenings and cold winter days.
On National Hydropower Day on Aug. 24, or the next time you enjoy the river or flip a light switch, remember the many ways water serves us here in Northwest Montana.
Photo: Hungry Horse Dam | Bonneville Power Administration
Power Points
80-100 MW
Approximate average electric generation of Hungry Horse Dam.
50%
100 megawatts is about half of Flathead Electric Co-op’s average electric load.
1,100 miles
How far a drop of water travels from the confluence of the South Fork of the Flathead River to reach the Pacific Ocean.
