Hungry Horse Dam

Hungry Horse Dam is a curved concrete barrier stretching 645 meters across the South Fork of the Flathead River. Four Francis turbines inside the structure convert the water flow into electrical power, and the reservoir behind the wall extends deep into the mountain valleys.

Work started in 1948 and required building an entire settlement with housing, stores, and medical facilities for the workers. The project reached completion in 1953, helping to secure electricity supply for western Montana.

The name derives from two freight horses that survived a harsh winter storm in 1900, when they wandered away and returned severely undernourished.

The site sits in a remote mountain area, so bring weather-appropriate clothing and enough food and water for the visit. During winter, access roads may close or become difficult to navigate.

The overflow structure takes the form of a morning glory design and ranks as the tallest of its kind anywhere in the world. Water drops nearly 150 meters (490 feet) through a vertical shaft into the depths below.

Location: Flathead County

Inception: 1948

Length: 645 m

GPS coordinates: 48.34167,-114.01417

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:28