The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-06-06
HYDRO-ELECTRIC
POWER IN STATE
POTENTIALLY MONTANA HAS
7,749,O0O HORSE POWER;
NATION 27,943, 900
Fourteen Power Companies Have
Developed 100000 Horse Power;
is Big Factor in Industrial Ex-
pansion of the State.

= The total potential water power
of the As states of the Union is
27,943,0O0 horse power. OF this
amount 2,749,OOO horse power is
in the state of Montana-an
amount exceeded only by the states
of Washington, California, and
: Oregon. In other words, practical
;, Iy one-tenth of the nations water
: power resources is located within
the borders of the Treasure state.
Here rise the two greatest rivers
; in the United States-the Missouri
which originates on the eastern, and
the Column ia, which flows from the
western slope of the Rocky noun
tains During their flow through the
state, the Missouri falls approximate
ly 1000 feet before it crosses the
eastern boundary and the Clark S
fork of the Columbia, from the head
waters of its tributary streams, falls
1000 feet before crossing the state
line on the west.
''These great rivers, fed by innu-
merable tributaries, offer practically
limitless opportunities for the eco
nomical development of hydro-elec-
trio power. Adm history shows that
Isuch development has more than kept
pace with the growth of population
and the demands of state that is as
yet industrially young. From 1912
to 1924, the population of Montana
increased approximately so per cent.
During the same period water power
development in the state increased
fl ON $4,000 to 100000 horsepower,
an increase of over 200 per cent.
Fourteen Companies
"This total of 100000 horsepower
has been developed and is now being
distributed by IA private companies,
operating in the central and western
parts of the state. Although the Mon
tana Power company is the largest of
these operators, having in fact de-
veloped all but 10000 horsepower of
the above total, it by no means con-
stitutes monopoly of the potential
water powers of the state Its total
holdings, including 298,0O0 devel-
oped, and 1875, 900 undeveloped, make
a grand total of 1880 horsepower. |
Deducting this from the states total
water power capacity of 2,749,OO0
horse power, there still remains o.
$4,000 horse power available to
other takers. In other words, there |
is "a per cent of the states potential
water power, over which this COM
pany exercises no control whatever
mand for power in appreciate guam
Montana was and is still largely
a stock raising, numbering and agri-
cultural community, with little de-
mand for power in appreciate guam
titles. There was, however, one peg
upon which the early hydro-electric
pioneers hung their hope of success.
The great mining camp of Butte and
the smelters of Anaconda and Great
Falls were using large quantities of
power generated by steam. Here
was a potential market worth cap
turing. And when the Montana {
Power company originally offered to |
replace $4,000 horse power per year, '
generated from steam at a cost of {
$125 per horse power, with $4,000 II
horse power of hydro-electric energy \
supplied at a cost of $35 to $50, the |
result was foregone conclusion. I
Contracts were executed, installa- &
lions were made and from that day {
10 this the mining companies of Mon {
ANA have used electricity exclusive G
y. 7
Industrial Montana
Later on came the application of
1ydro-electric power to transported
ion. The Butte, Anaconda G Pacific
vas the first road in America to sub
titute electricity for steam locomo-
ives in handling heavy railway traf- n
ic. So pronounced was its success
hat the Chicago, Milwaukee & ST. 4
Paul followed it's example with the
esult that today Montana, with it's b
80 miles of trunk line installation, r
eads the nation in electrified steam 4
ailroads. :,
Gradually other infant industries
we're born and grew to robust stature a
cry largely because of the availa- "
ility of cheap hydro-electric power. u
treet railways, cement and flour n
Hills, creameries and ice-making
lants and hundreds of smaller es- a,
Adjustments requiring electrical en- n
rgy and located in 70 cities and q,
owns of the state are now served by L.
MS company. Hydro-electric power
as made industrial Montana little 4,
7orld of its own which employs more n,
IAN 10000 factory hands and an n,
ually takes over $120, 100000 of Y
laterials and turns them into pro-
ucts worth more than $3.50, 100000. T.
Conserving Resources m
Hydro-electric power is also help n,
lg to conserve two of the other great oh
sources of the state-coal and oil.
he Montana Power company's year. ~,
output of current is the equivalent in
more than 100000 tons of coal f.
year, or $500 tons every "a hours. a,
his is more than go per cent of all en-
lie coal mined in Montana each
ear. 1s
AS for the economy and cheapness 81
hydro-electric service in COMPARE 81
IN with coal or oil, no more start 70,
ng proof can be afforded than the ro
ectacle of every coal mine in Mon
ma conducting its operations solely No
: electric energy purchased from 10
e Montana Power company at reg
ar published rates because this is 10
tually cheaper than to use steam No
nerated by coal from its own mine. of
Aids Irrigation
What of the relation of water sol