Morony Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Morony Dam |
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Looking southeast at Morony Dam in 2007
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| Official name | Morony Dam |
| Location | Cascade County, Montana, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 47°34′54″N 111°03′26″W / 47.58167°N 111.05722°W |
| Construction began | 1928 |
| Opening date | 1930 |
| Operator(s) | NorthWestern Corporation |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Missouri River |
| Height | 94 feet (29 m) |
| Length | 883 feet (269 m) |
| Power station | |
| Installed capacity | 48 MW |
| Annual generation | 307,170,000 KWh (2009) |
The Morony Dam is a large structure built on the Missouri River in Cascade County, Montana. It's a special type of dam called a gravity dam. This means it uses its own heavy weight to hold back the water.
The dam is 883 feet (269 m) long and 94 feet (29 m) high. It helps create hydroelectric power, which is electricity made from moving water. The dam can generate 48 megawatts (MW) of power. That's enough electricity for many homes and businesses!
About Morony Dam
The dam is named after John G. Morony. He was a banker and a director of important companies like the Montana Power Company. He also helped build another dam called Ryan Dam.
The Phoenix Utility Company built Morony Dam. The Montana Power Company wanted this dam to make more electricity. This power was needed for a zinc refinery (a factory that cleans metals) in nearby Great Falls, Montana. Building the dam started in 1928 and finished in 1930.
How the Dam Works
Morony Dam has a wide section called a 390-foot (120 m) spillway. A spillway is like a giant overflow drain. It lets extra water flow out safely when the river is high.
Nine large doors, called tainter gates, and one sluice gate control the water flow over the spillway. The water that goes to make electricity enters through a channel called the headrace. This channel and the powerhouse (where electricity is made) are on the north side of the dam. Inside the powerhouse are two big machines called Francis turbines. These turbines spin when water rushes through them, which then creates electricity.
Who Owns the Dam
In 1997, a company called PPL Corporation bought the dam. Later, in 2014, they sold it to NorthWestern Corporation. This company now operates and takes care of Morony Dam.
The Big Eddy
Just below Morony Dam, there's a famous spot on the Missouri River called the "Big Eddy." About 1 mile (1.6 km) downstream from the dam, a stream called Belt Creek joins the Missouri River.
The Big Eddy is known for its strong currents and swirling water. This is because the large stream from Belt Creek creates a powerful undertow and turbulence. It can be hard for boaters to see these strong currents.
Lewis and Clark's Visit
The famous Lewis and Clark Expedition camped near the Big Eddy. On June 15, 1805, they stopped on the west bank of the Missouri River. The strong currents of the Big Eddy had temporarily slowed them down.
Today, most people reach the Big Eddy by boat. However, there is also a land trail nearby that leads to the start of the Big Eddy. Local boaters know this area well because of its unique water conditions.
