Montana’s hydroelectric dams have powered the Treasure State for 130 years, with Black Eagle Dam the first, completed in 1891, just two years after Montana achieved statehood.

NorthWestern Energy is commemorating the history of these environmental and cultural assets with the book “Golden Kilowatts, Water Power and the Early Growth of Montana” written by longtime Montana journalist Butch Larcombe, who retired in 2019 from NorthWestern Energy after seven years with corporate communications.

“Golden Kilowatts” is a journey through the history of the Montana dams owned today and in the past by NorthWestern Energy and the Montana Power Co., from the first on the Missouri River at Black Eagle to later dams that fueled Butte mines and eventually copper smelting operations in Black Eagle and Anaconda. By 1915, the Montana Power Company was believed to be the largest single distributor of electric power in the U.S. Electricity was a boon to lumber mills, grain elevators, flour mills, street railways and other industrial and commercial operations.

Photos in the book document not only the construction of the dams, and amazing engineering feats, but also the communities established near the dam projects that included stores, schools and clinics that supported the workers. Many of the historical photos have not been published before.

Proceeds from the sales of “Golden Kilowatts” will benefit Montana history organizations and will be available for sale in the Gift Shop & Bookstore for $20.