Hydropower production above estimates
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 10 years AGO
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | October 11, 2016 5:11 PM
After four years in operation, Whitefish’s hydroelectric power system is producing energy above estimates.
The system has already generated enough electricity to pay off 61 percent of the original pre-purchase loan with Flathead Electric, according to City Manager Chuck Stearns.
A $400,000 pre-payment from Flathead Electric Co-op helped fund the project, along with a $200,000 federal grant.
“The original estimate was that the loan would be paid off in a maximum of eight years and we should beat that target easily,” Stearns said. “Once the loan is paid off, the electricity generated will go to offset the electricity requirements of the water treatment plant, the wastewater treatment plant, and other electrical bills at the city.”
Flathead Electric began accepting power into their grid from the facility on Reservoir Road in September 2012.
The water for the hydro plant comes out of Haskill Creek before passing though the hydro generator at the city’s water-supply reservoir. A small 25-square-foot building houses the controls and generator.
The generator has a capacity of 200 kilowatts, enough to generate electricity to power a few hundred homes.
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