NWE to discuss testing results

NorthWestern Energy will be holding a public meeting to discuss the results of the October drawdown tests on the Thompson Falls Reservoir. Last October, the company conducted tests on the reservoir that caused a sudden drop of the river level. Many community members were frustrated with the drawdown as well as a lack of notice on NorthWestern Energy’s part. On October 15, 2019, a public meeting was held to discuss people’s grievances, and to explain the premises of the operational tests; as the company prepares to relicense the Thompson Falls Hydroelectric Dam under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license requirements.

Because the tests were conducted so close to the first public meeting, NorthWestern Energy representatives were unable to share any data that was collected. The public was told those results would be ready to be shared after the new year. On Wednesday, March 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Thompson Falls Community Center, NorthWestern will share the results of the drawdown tests conducted last year. The meeting is open to the public for result discussion.