Federal grant helps dam security around dam

The Daily Inter Lake

A $190,000 grant from the federal Department of Homeland Security has enabled the Flathead County Sheriff's Office to establish a protection zone and security plan around Hungry Horse Dam.

The zone includes Devil's Elbow in the South Fork of the Flathead River below the dam to the north, Beta Mountain to the west and Lower Dam Road. On the eastern edge it follows a ridge line in the South Fork canyon.

"It's an area we can reasonably protect," Sheriff Mike Meehan recently told the county commissioners.

Meehan said the grant money will be used for communications equipment and training.

A tabletop exercise involving protection of the dam was held on Tuesday.

Homeland Security already has surveillance equipment around Hungry Horse Dam that is linked to Hoover Dam, he said.

Commissioner Gary Hall said he is pleased to see the extra measure of protection around the dam.

"We're the head of a series of dams. If you take this one out … it goes on down the line," Hall said, adding that he doesn't "anticipate that dam ever failing."