NorthWestern : Thompson Falls Reservoir Levels to Drop; Recreation Users Advised to Use Caution, Remove Docks and Boats
May 29, 2018 at 11:33 am EDT
Share
Butte, Mont. - May 25, 2018 - Very high Clark Fork River flows this spring forced NorthWestern Energy to release a number of the removable steel spillway beams on its Thompson Falls Dam. The action, aimed at allowing greater-than-normal amounts of water and debris to safely pass through the dam, will create recreational impacts on the reservoir above the dam in coming weeks.
NorthWestern is advising its neighbors around the reservoir and other users to consider removing docks and boats from the water to avoid damage as the reservoir elevation drops and use caution navigating the shallow reservoir.
The restoration work to replace the spillway beams will require an unavoidable lowering of the reservoir to the crest of the dam, an elevation of 2,380 feet (a point 16.5 feet down from full pool). Once the reservoir elevation drops to that point, work will immediately begin on replacing the beams.
The replacement work, expected to take about two weeks, cannot begin until river flows drop below 20,000 cubic feet per second. The flow was at 98,700 cubic feet per second on May 24, 2018.
We apologize for this inconvenience, but the drawdown is unavoidable. After completion of the work, the reservoir will be refilled as soon as reasonably possible given the inflows, likely to be late July to mid-August.
To keep abreast of outages and other NorthWestern Energy events, follow us on Facebook or on Twitter (@NWEinfo).
About NorthWestern Energy (NYSE: NWE)
NorthWestern Energy provides electricity and natural gas in the Upper Midwest and Northwest, serving approximately 709,600 customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. More information on NorthWestern Energy is available on the company's website at www.northwesternenergy.com.
Media Contact:
Butch Larcombe
(866) 622-8081
butch.larcombe@northwestern.com
Attachments
Original document
Permalink
Disclaimer
NorthWestern Corporation published this content on 29 May 2018 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 29 May 2018 15:32:02 UTC
NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc., doing business as NorthWestern Energy, provides essential energy infrastructure and valuable services. The Company operates through two segments: electric utility operations and natural gas utility operations. The electric utility operations segment includes the generation, purchase, transmission and distribution of electricity. The natural gas utility operations segment includes the production, purchase, transmission, storage, and distribution of natural gas. It provides electricity and / or natural gas to approximately 775,300 customers in Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Yellowstone National Park. Its operations in Montana and Yellowstone National Park are conducted through its subsidiary, NorthWestern Corporation, and its operations in South Dakota and Nebraska are conducted through its subsidiary, NorthWestern Energy Public Service Corporation. Its customer base consists of a mix of residential, commercial, and diversified industrial customers.
NORTHWESTERN ENERGY GROUP, INC. 
