Former Kerr Dam renamed again

PABLO (AP) — The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council has voted to rename the newly named Salish Kootenai Dam to include one more tribe.

The council voted Oct. 2 to rename the hydroelectric facility on the Flathead River the Selis, Ksanka and Qlispe Dam.

Tribal officials say the new name represents the Pend d’Oreille as well as Salish and Kootenai tribes.

All three tribes make up the confederation.

Ownership of the dam passed over to the tribes in September after tribal officials paid $18 million to NorthWestern Energy.

Officials say Energy Keepers Inc., the company that’s operating the dam, will file the name change with the Federal Regulatory Commission later this week.

There will be an audio clip of the correct pronunciation of the dam’s name at energykeepersinc.com.