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Montana Dam Removal Unleashes Rivers, Restores Ecosystem
13 Oct
Summary
- Milltown Dam removal concluded in 2008 after a century of impounded water.
- Superfund site designation in 1986 spurred a comprehensive cleanup plan.
- Restored confluence now serves as Milltown State Park for public use.
For nearly a century, the Milltown Dam in western Montana impounded not just water, but also millions of cubic yards of sediment laden with toxic waste from decades of copper mining near Butte. This contamination posed risks through groundwater well pollution and the potential disturbance of hazardous materials by floods and ice jams.
The area was designated a federal Superfund site in 1986, initiating a lengthy process toward remediation. Public advocacy, particularly from the Clark Fork Coalition, was crucial in building support for dam removal, ultimately chosen by the EPA in 2003 over objections from some who favored leaving the structure in place.
The dam's removal, finalized in 2008, was part of a broader restoration program that included managing the polluted sediment and re-establishing the river corridor as a natural floodplain. This allowed the Clark Fork and Blackfoot rivers to reconnect, improving habitat for native fish by restoring passage.
Today, the former Superfund site thrives as Milltown State Park. It offers public access for activities like fishing and birdwatching, transforming a landscape scarred by industrial pollution into a recreational area that also serves as a reminder of the extensive effort required for its restoration.
