Avista upgrades overlook

Just over the Montana-Idaho border, Avista has been working to complete upgrades at the Cabinet Gorge Dam overlook. The company recently replaced all of the grass at the overlook and planted new trees.

Jason Pignanelli with Avista said that eight loads of topsoil were brought in the for the project. The overlook is open daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (MST). The overlook includes parking for RVs and a restroom, but camping is not allowed.

The overlook has a concrete walking path leading up to a viewpoint above the dam, and interpretive signs along the path describe the dam construction, as well as information on Glacial Lake Missoula. Also on display at the park is one of the original turbines from the dam. The turbine blade is one of four originally installed in the dam in the early 1950s. It was replaced in 2001 with a more efficient turbine that boosted power production.

Pignanelli encourages the public to visit both dams and "come watch the springtime spill, read about the history and enjoy the views."

The Cabinet Gorge Dam was built by a crew of 1,700 people in a span of 21 months in the early 1950s, according to the company. It stands 208 feet tall and has a generating capacity of 273 megawatts. The Noxon Rapids Dam was built in 1959, stands 260 feet tall and can generate up to 562 megawatts.

Pardee Excavating of Thompson Falls completed the work at the Cabinet Gorge Dam overlook.