Thompson Falls Dam facts for kids
The Thompson Falls Dam is an important structure located in Sanders County, Montana. It's in the northwestern part of the state, helping to create electricity for many homes and businesses.
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Thompson Falls Dam: Powering Montana
The Thompson Falls Dam isn't just one big wall across a river. It's actually a group of four different dams working together! These dams are built on the Clark Fork River right in the middle of Thompson Falls, Montana.
How the Dams Work Together
This special group of dams is called a "complex." Each dam plays a part in making electricity. Here are the four dams that make up this complex:
- The Main Channel Dam, which is 54 feet tall.
- The Dry Channel Dam, standing 38 feet high.
- Intake Dam A, reaching 53 feet into the air.
- Intake Dam B, the tallest at 110 feet high.
Generating Clean Energy
The Thompson Falls Dam started working way back in 1915. It was built where there were already natural waterfalls. Today, these four dams hold back a lot of water, creating a large reservoir. This reservoir can store 8,300 acre-feet of water.
The main job of the dam is to create hydroelectric power. This means it uses the force of moving water to spin giant turbines. These turbines then generate electricity. The dam has seven units that can produce a total of 94 megawatts of power. That's enough electricity for many thousands of homes!
Who Owns the Dam?
Over the years, the ownership of the Thompson Falls Dam has changed a few times. The Montana Power Company was the first to build and operate it. Later, in 1997, a company called PPL Corporation bought the dam. Then, in 2014, NorthWestern Corporation became the new owner. They are the company that runs the dam today.
A Park for Everyone
There's a special island located right between the different parts of the dam. This island is a public park that anyone can visit! It has fun hiking trails where you can explore, picnic tables for outdoor meals, and amazing spots to view the river and the dam. It's a great place to enjoy nature and see how the dam works up close.
