Madison Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Madison Dam |
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Madison Dam, January 2015
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| Location | Madison County, Montana |
| Coordinates | 45°28′12″N 111°38′18″W / 45.47012°N 111.63831°W |
| Purpose | Hydroelectric, Flood Control, Water Supply, Recreation |
| Owner(s) | PPL MONTANA, LLC |
| Operator(s) | NorthWestern Corporation |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Timber Crib |
| Spillway capacity | 7700 cfs |
| Reservoir | |
| Total capacity | 42053 ac.ft. |
The Madison Dam is a special structure on the Madison River in Madison County, Montana. It helps create electricity and forms a large lake called Ennis Lake. This dam is important for making power, controlling floods, providing water, and offering a fun place for people to visit.
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Madison Dam: Powering Up Montana
The Madison Dam is a hydroelectric dam. This means it uses the power of flowing water to make electricity. It is located in the narrow part of Bear Trap Canyon.
What is the Madison Dam?
The dam is made from a material called timber crib. This means it was built using large wooden boxes filled with rocks. It stands 39 feet tall and stretches 257 feet across the river. The dam was built in 1906. It replaced an older dam from 1901 that was on the same spot.
How Does the Dam Make Power?
The Madison Dam can create nine megawatts of electricity. This is enough power for many homes. It works in a "run-of-the-river" way. This means it uses the natural flow of the river to make power, without storing huge amounts of water.
Who Owns the Dam?
Over the years, the dam has had different owners.
- In 1912, the Montana Power Company took over the dam.
- Then, in 1997, a company called PPL Corporation bought it.
- Finally, in 2014, NorthWestern Corporation purchased the dam. They operate it today.
Ennis Lake: A Place for Fun
The Madison Dam creates a large lake behind it called Ennis Lake. This lake is a popular spot for many outdoor activities.
What is Ennis Lake?
Ennis Lake is about 2.6 miles long. It can hold a lot of water, up to 42,053 acre-feet. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land with water one foot deep. The lake is not very deep, so it can get quite warm in the summer.
Fun Activities at Ennis Lake
Ennis Lake is a great place for recreation.
- Many people enjoy fishing for brown trout and rainbow trout.
- Camping is also popular around the lake.
- Boating is another favorite activity.
- Downstream from the dam, in Bear Trap Canyon, people can go white-water rafting.
Fish in the Lake
Because Ennis Lake is shallow, its water can get warm during the summer. This warmth can sometimes make it harder for fish to live and grow. However, the lake still supports good populations of trout for fishing.
