Section E Page 7 Missoulian Centennial 2 Captions of Photos
Captions of 2 Photos on Page 7 Section E
Kerr Dam Is Giant Power Producer
Kerr Dam near Polson is the giant on the Montana Power system, sometimes producing more than a billion kilowatt-hours in a season. Sixteen people are regularly employed there.
The plant has the capability of producing 180,000 kilowatts of energy with its three units. The dam is 204 feet high – higher than Niagara.
Sometimes referred to as the West’s most picturesque hydro-electric plant, it is located on the Flathead River six miles from Flathead Lake. The dam is on the Flathead Indian Reservation and yearly rental is paid to the Confederated Salish and Kootenail Tribe. Many Indians worked during the construction phases and several still are employed at the dam and elsewhere by Montana Power.
Montana Power has 14 power plants, 13 of them hydro and one steam-electric, the latter at Billings.
Power from the dam goes into the transmission and distribution grid of Montana Power and into the homes, industries and businesses of the half million Montanans with the utility’s service area, which encompasses 90,000 square miles – an area larger than all of New England, plus half of New York state.
Other western Montana plants contributing to the company’s 671,000-kilowatt system capability – twice what it was at the end of World War II – are Milltown, Thompson Falls and Flint Creek. (Photo courtesy of Montana Power)
Popular Spot in Summer Months
A popular spot on hot summer days is the city’s swimming pool in McComick Park. This view is looking from the shallow end toward the deeper water in the T-shaped pool, which can be seen by motorists entering the city from the west on U.S. Highway 10-93.