Fort Peck Dam

Fort Peck Dam, located in northeastern Montana along the Missouri River, is one of the largest earth-filled dams in the world and a key feature of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program, a massive water resource development project initiated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the mid-20th century. Completed in 1940, the dam was constructed primarily for flood control, irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and navigation purposes.

One of the main attractions of Fort Peck Dam is its sheer size and scale. Standing at over 250 feet tall and stretching for nearly four miles across the Missouri River, the dam is an impressive engineering feat that requires the movement of millions of cubic yards of earth and the construction of numerous structures, including spillways, powerhouses, and navigation locks. The reservoir created by the dam, Fort Peck Lake, covers over 130 miles and offers ample opportunities for boating, fishing, and other recreational activities.

In addition to its practical functions, Fort Peck Dam also holds historical significance as a symbol of the New Deal era and the efforts to combat the economic challenges of the Great Depression. The construction of the dam provided much-needed employment opportunities for thousands of workers during a time of widespread unemployment and economic hardship, and it remains a testament to the ingenuity, perseverance, and teamwork of those who built it.

Today, Fort Peck Dam continues to play a vital role in managing water resources in the Missouri River Basin, helping to mitigate flood risks, support agricultural irrigation, generate clean hydroelectric power, and maintain navigation channels for commercial and recreational boating. The dam and its surrounding area are also popular tourist destinations, attracting visitors with its scenic beauty, historical significance, and recreational opportunities. Whether you're interested in history, engineering, or outdoor recreation, a visit to Fort Peck Dam offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, present, and future of water resource management in the American West.