Gibson Dam, Concrete arch dam in Teton County, Montana.
Gibson Dam is a concrete arch dam spanning the Sun River, characterized by its thick concrete structure that tapers from a broad base to a narrower crest. Behind the structure lies a large reservoir where water accumulates for storage and distribution downstream.
The dam was built between 1926 and 1929 by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. This project marked an important advancement in engineering methods, as it relied on new mathematical techniques for analyzing structural behavior.
The dam takes its name from an engineer whose work shaped water management in this region. Visitors can observe how this structure has become part of the local landscape and its role in the community's daily relationship with the Sun River.
The dam is accessible by a local road that provides several vantage points along its length. Water levels change significantly throughout the year depending on snowmelt and irrigation demands, so what you see varies by season.
Engineers built a full-scale model of the dam before construction to test how it would perform during extreme flood conditions. This testing approach helped confirm the safety of the design before any concrete was poured.
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