PacifiCorp has formally notified federal regulators of its intent to sell or decommission the Bigfork Hydroelectric Project on Montana’s Swan River, setting in motion a disposition process that could reshape the infrastructure and recreation landscape around the small Flathead County community. The utility told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission it determined that necessary dam safety upgrades would not be cost-effective.
“PacifiCorp has notified the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission about its intent to pursue the disposition of the Bigfork Hydroelectric Project after determining required dam safety upgrades would not be cost effective for our customers,” said Drew Marine, a PacifiCorp spokesperson.
What the Project Includes
The Bigfork facility generates 4.15 megawatts of electricity and consists of a 12-foot-high, 300-foot-long concrete diversion dam with a 235-foot spillway, a brick powerhouse, and an accompanying flume. The project also encompasses 277 acres of surrounding land. The core infrastructure has seen little change since the 1930s, tracing its origins to a hydroelectric plant established in 1902 and a concrete dam and powerhouse completed by 1910.
Bigfork itself was platted in 1901 by Everit Sliter, and the dam has been woven into the town’s identity ever since. Water releases from the facility — required under PacifiCorp’s federal license — power the Swan River’s Class IV “Wild Mile” whitewater section each evening from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. during July and August, supporting the Bigfork Whitewater Festival, which has run for more than 50 consecutive years.
Sale Process and Local Interest
PacifiCorp plans to issue a formal request for interest to identify potential buyers. If a buyer is found and the project changes hands, existing license conditions governing recreation access would carry over to any new operator. That includes the 2.5-mile Swan River Trail and public parks — Powerhouse, Pacific, and Sliter parks — as well as the Kearney Rapids Boat Launch.
Flathead Electric Cooperative, the regional electric cooperative that serves much of the area, is seen as a natural potential acquirer but has so far stayed on the sidelines. A cooperative spokesperson said as of June 12 that it had not begun any formal acquisition process. Dillon Tabish, speaking for the cooperative, said that “any serious consideration would require careful due diligence and review.”
The disposition process is expected to take several years. PacifiCorp has stated that day-to-day dam operations and existing public access will remain unchanged while the sale process is underway.
Decommissioning as the Alternative
If no buyer comes forward, PacifiCorp would proceed with decommissioning under FERC criteria, a process that would involve public input and would take at least five years to complete. Dam removal and decommissioning projects of this scale typically involve extensive environmental review and stakeholder engagement before any physical work begins.
The outcome carries significant implications for Bigfork’s recreation economy and the character of the Swan River downstream. The whitewater festival and the public parks tied to the dam draw visitors to the community each summer, and their future could hinge on whether a qualified buyer emerges.
Broader Montana Energy Context
The Bigfork situation reflects a wider pattern of utilities reassessing older hydro infrastructure when maintenance costs outpace generation value. At 4.15 megawatts, the facility is small by grid standards, but its ties to recreation, land access, and local history make the stakes considerably larger for residents. Montana’s natural resource and energy sectors have faced a range of pressures in recent years — from workforce disruptions at major mining operations to cuts in federal land management funding that affect how public lands are maintained.
PacifiCorp has indicated it will move methodically through the disposition process, and regulators at FERC will play a central role in approving any sale or overseeing decommissioning. Community stakeholders, including the town of Bigfork, recreational users, and potential buyers, are expected to have opportunities for input as the process advances.
