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Libby Dam, also known as Lake Koocanusa, is a Federal-owned structure located in Lincoln, Montana.
Completed in 1973, this gravity dam serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, and recreation. With a height of 362 feet and a structural height of 422 feet, Libby Dam plays a crucial role in managing the flow of the Kootenai River and maintaining a maximum storage capacity of 6,027,000 acre-feet.
Despite being characterized with a high hazard potential, US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) continuously implements risk management measures to ensure the safety of the dam and surrounding communities. USACE conducts regular inspections, maintains monitoring instruments, and collaborates with local emergency managers to update Emergency Action Plans and conduct emergency exercises. The dam's Emergency Action Plan is designed to mitigate potential risks, such as the unlikely scenario of a massive rockslide triggering a dam failure, which could result in deadly flooding downstream.
In the face of extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall and snowmelt, USACE works diligently to balance flood risk by releasing water through the spillway to prevent overtopping and failure of the dam. While the risk assessment characterizes the dam's risk as moderate, USACE remains confident in the dam's structural integrity and its ability to reduce flood risks significantly. By employing proactive measures and closely monitoring conditions, USACE aims to minimize the potential for life loss and property damage, ensuring the continued effectiveness of Libby Dam in water resource management and climate resilience efforts.
Kootenai River Bl Libby Dam Nr Libby Mt
|
12100cfs |
Fisher River Near Libby Mt
|
727cfs |
Yaak River Near Troy Mt
|
2000cfs |
Tobacco River Near Eureka Mt
|
388cfs |
Kootenai River At Leonia Id
|
17900cfs |
Clark Fork River Below Cabinet Gorge Dam Id
|
39300cfs |
Year Completed |
1973 |
Dam Length |
2890 |
River Or Stream |
KOOTENAI RIVER |
Primary Dam Type |
Gravity |
Surface Area |
46500 |
Hydraulic Height |
362 |
Drainage Area |
8985 |
Nid Storage |
6027000 |
Structural Height |
422 |
Outlet Gates |
Vertical Lift - 0 |
Hazard Potential |
High |
Nid Height |
422 |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Dunn Creek Flats
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Dunn Creek Campground
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Blackwell Flats
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Blackwell Flats Campground
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McGillivray Campground
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McGillivray Campground and Group Sites
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Junction Of The Fisher River (Three Miles Sownstream Of Libby Dam) To Tub Gulch, Approximately Four Miles Upstream From The Town Of Libby, Montana
10 Miles From Tub Gulch To Quartz Creek To 10 Miles From Tub Gulch To Quartz Creek
From The Junction Of Hennesey Creek Downstream For Nine Miles To The Confluence With The Kootenai River To
From The Boundary Of The Flagstaff Mountain Inventoried Roadless Area #690 Downstream For Three Miles To The Confluence Of Main Quartz Creek To
Lookout Creek And South Fork, Sec. 21, T34N, R30W To Upstream For 6 Miles
From The Headwaters Of The West Fork Of Quartz Creek Downstream For Three Miles To The Boundary Of The Flagstaff Mountain Inventoried Roadless Area #690 To