1st Swan River WW Release Successful MT

posted July 8, 2004
by John Gangemi
article photo

Wednesday, July 7th, boaters traveled to the Swan River to participate in the first whitewater releases from the Bigfork Hydropower Project.  PacifiCorp, operator of the powerhouse, closed the 670 cfs canal intake allowing water to travel down the 1 mile long natural river channel.  This section of river below the dam is known as the “Wild Mile” site of the annual Bigfork Whitewater Festival in early June.  American Whitewater memorialized this conservation victory with free burgers and beverages for AW members.  Membership in American Whitewater helps make this type of conservation work possible.

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Settlement Agreement for the Bigfork Hydropower Project, Swan River, MT

posted November 27, 2002
by John Gangemi
article photo
PacifiCorp filed the Recreation Settlement Agreement for the Bigfork Hydropower Project to the FERC on November 8, 2002. American Whitewater negotiated river access improvements through the removal of chain link fencing and building pedestrian walkways across the canal, easements for public access for the 30 year life of the new license on non-project lands and Wednesday evening whitewater releases July 1 through August 31 annually.
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